UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is developing a regional Southeast Asia funding opportunity focused on infectious diseases of epidemic or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) potential, in discussion with leading funders in Southeast Asia.
This funding opportunity is aligned with the UKRI tackling infections strategic theme, for which infectious disease epidemics and AMR are priorities.
The programme will be concerned with infectious diseases, of relevance to the region, and with epidemic and AMR potential. UKRI expects the programme will launch early in 2024, and further information will be published on the UKRI website soon. The programme will be administered by MRC on behalf of UKRI.
UKRI funding for this partnership will be provided through the International Science Partnership Fund Official Development Assistance budget.
In anticipation of the programme, UKRI would like to convene researchers from participating countries in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will be held on 20, 21 and 22 February 2024, to increase connectivity and foster new collaborations. The event will be an opportunity for UK researchers to meet researchers in the Southeast Asia region and explore opportunities for collaboration for the upcoming research programme.
Expression of interest from UK researchers working on infectious diseases with epidemic and AMR potential are welcomed.
Please note that attending the workshop will not be a prerequisite for applying to the funding opportunity. Conversely, attendance will not guarantee funding through the funding opportunity nor be part of the assessment criteria.
The event will be in-person only. Travel and subsistence for UK researchers invited to attend will be covered by UKRI.
The objectives of the event are:
- to strengthen and expand infectious diseases research networks between the UK and Southeast Asia partner countries
- to facilitate the formation of multi-country teams with researchers from the UK and Southeast Asia investigators to work on infectious diseases
- to stimulate early idea generation in relevant topics in preparation for the upcoming funding opportunity
UKRI expects the event will attract around 100 researchers representative of Southeast Asia countries involved in the programme, and the UK. It is aimed at researchers working in areas related to infectious diseases with epidemic (emerging and zoonotic infections) and AMR potential.
The event will include a mix of networking, idea generation and team building sessions. Attendees will be required to play an active role throughout the event, exchanging ideas and taking part in the discussions. Please note that, while there will be opportunities to speak about individual and institutional areas of expertise, this event is not a conference.
Due to the limited number of spaces (around 10 for UK researchers), UKRI will be selecting attendees competitively through a light-touch selection process. Researchers interested to attend are required to submit an expression of interest through Citizen Space, explaining:
- individual research interests relevant for the event, and motivation for attending the event
- home institution’s research interest for collaborating with Southeast Asia partners in infectious diseases, and how these interests will be represented throughout the event
UKRI will only be able to invite one researcher per institution. Attendees will be required to represent their institutional interests as well as their own research area of expertise. Please coordinate within your research organisation to agree appropriate attendance. It is expected that each institution will submit only one application.