UKRI: Interdisciplinary research to tackle epidemic threats

02/11/2023

27/02/2024

Apply for seed funding to build interdisciplinary teams and develop research ideas to tackle epidemic diseases of humans, animals and plants. The initiative is an interdisciplinary opportunity to better understand, predict and prevent (re-)emergence of infectious human, animal, and plant diseases of epidemic potential. It aims to improve epidemic preparedness by supporting interdisciplinary research that will improve our understanding of these infectious disease threats, through building and expanding interdisciplinary research capacity. The FEC of your project can be up to £125,000. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC. UKRI expects to fund up to 15 proposals. The duration of this award is fixed at nine months.

This initiative will have two phases: phase one seed funding to develop interdisciplinary research teams and research questions that will bring new perspectives and approaches to epidemic preparedness research, drawing on a range of disciplines from across the remits of the research councils. We anticipate teams will subsequently seek phase two funding (or other funding opportunities) phase two programmatic awards will address research questions. We anticipate providing opportunities for award holders to network and share insights and best practice to help build an interdisciplinary research community better prepared to address future threats.

Applicant type Academic Institution; Commercial or Private Sector; Individuals: Early Career and Emerging in Field; Individuals: Mid-Career to Established in Field; Non-profit Eligibility Note Who is eligible to apply project lead can be from any discipline project co-lead eligibility will be confirmed in the full announcement for this opportunity International project co-leads are allowed if they provide expertise or access to facilities or resources not available in the UK.