TY - JOUR T1 - Youth researchers academy: a report on an innovative research training programme for young people in Zimbabwe JF - BMJ Innovations JO - BMJ Innov SP - 183 LP - 189 DO - 10.1136/bmjinnov-2021-000885 VL - 8 IS - 3 AU - Mandikudza Tembo AU - Constance Mackworth-Young AU - Katharina Kranzer AU - Chido Dziva-Chikwari AU - Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza AU - Ethel Dauya AU - Mufaro Makuni AU - Dakarai Chipare AU - Blessing Munyavi-Dehwe AU - Daniel Raradza AU - Sarah Bernays AU - Rudo Chingono AU - Nyasha Dzavakwa AU - Rudo Nyamwanza AU - Suzanna Carter Francis AU - Victoria Simms AU - Rashida Ferrand Y1 - 2022/07/01 UR - http://innovations.bmj.com/content/8/3/183.abstract N2 - Introduction Youth engagement has the potential to enhance the design, implementation and relevance of research. Without strategies to capacitate young people with research skills, youth engagement in research is often tokenistic and ineffective. In this paper, we detail the implementation and evaluation of an innovative research training programme for youth (aged 18–24 years) in Zimbabwe called the Youth Researchers Academy (YRA).Methods Quantitative programme data and qualitative interviews and focus group discussions assessed acceptability of the YRA, youth researcher and mentor experiences, and impact of the YRA over time.Results We received 60 applications in 2019 and 89 applications in 2021. Ongoing feedback led to changes in the second programme (including longer training and certification). Youth researcher experiences included being motivated by learning new skills and valuing the relationship with mentors and peer networks. Many described long-term impact, including facilitation of higher education, setting up of new businesses through the stipends received, and, for some, opportunities to work in research.Discussion Overall, the programme was acceptable, facilitated meaningful youth-led research and trained a cohort of empowered youth researchers. Young people were eager to learn and capable of both learning and implementing critical research skills in a professional working environment. Implementation challenges included limited freedom in the co-design of research projects and the additional burden of work for YRA mentors.Conclusion The YRA provides a template for other academics to support similar training to facilitate capacity building and meaningful youth engagement for research with and for youth.Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available from the corresponding author on request. ER -