This initiative builds on previous engagement between the UK and China and represents the third flagship challenge between the two countries to work together to enrich the science and innovation collaboration between their research communities.
This initiative will provide bilateral funding for high quality collaborative research partnerships between China and the UK focused on addressing the growing global burden of AMR, and infectious disease with epidemic potential.
Aim
Our shared aims are to:
- provide funding for bilateral collaborative projects focused on addressing the challenge of AMR and infectious pathogens with epidemic potential
- enhance existing and develop new partnerships between the UK and China
- support the mobility and exchange of UK and China researchers between the two countries, to enhance long-term links and relationships between researchers in both countries
- strengthening the strategic relationship between the UK and China
Objectives
The objective is to deliver significant research funding for internationally competitive and innovative collaborative partnerships between researchers from China and the UK to enable the pursuit of shared research interests.
Scope
Following a programme of stakeholder engagement jointly led by UKRI and MoST, the following topics have been agreed as in scope for this funding opportunity:
1. Study of infectious disease pathogens with epidemic potential
Project aims may include:
- susceptibility and pathogenicity studies to identify novel pathogens with risk of species jumping into new host species
- evaluation of the mechanisms and pathways underpinning existing cross-species transmission
- study of host-pathogen interactions and how these may drive pathogen and immune adaptation, including co-infection and the impact of therapeutic or prophylactic interventions
- investigating the immune basis of host protection or susceptibility in humans and animals, either separately or in comparison
Beyond novel insight into these areas, project outputs may include:
- novel models of cell infection (for example, organoids), using novel tools and techniques to enable future research
- models and tools to enhance surveillance and detection by using open source, with potential to identify new and emerging infections
- early-stage research of new targets for drug and vaccine development
Areas we will not support:
- population surveillance and monitoring
- studies focusing on plant or crop health or disease
- applied or ‘gain of function’ research to enhance the virulence of a pathogen or render a non-pathogen virulent, increase transmissibility of a pathogen or alter the host range of a pathogen
2. Mechanisms of pathogen resistance from generation to evolution
Projects should focus on multidrug resistant (MDR) or MDR and hypervirulent pathogens and aims may include investigation of:
- molecular mechanisms of pathogen resistance (spanning bacteria, fungi and parasites), for example clone formation and transmission and the role of bacterial defence systems in the formation of antimicrobial resistance clones in gram-negative bacilli
- anti-host defence mechanisms, such as the mechanisms of clinical MDR bacteria manipulation of host responses, the structural basis and cellular targets of anti-host effectors, and the dynamics of host and pathogen metabolic adaptation and flexibility during infection
Areas we will not support:
- applied research seeking to confer resistance to therapeutically useful antibiotics or antiviral agents
3. Identifying the drivers of multi-resistant pathogens
Projects addressing this area should take a multidisciplinary, systems approach, analysing the interactions between human and animal systems, and the importance of social, behavioural and economic factors.
Project aims may include investigation of:
- regional patterns of AMR, transmission and evolution, building on open source surveillance data resources and novel technologies such as multi-‘omics’ and micro-ecology
- in a One Health context, investigating molecular mechanisms of generation, transmission and distribution of important resistant bacteria or genes among humans, food-producing animals and other animals in the environment
- identifying novel mechanisms of resistance in different settings including healthcare, food, environment and agriculture
We particularly encourage comparative studies between the UK and China settings, for example exploring the role of external influences and demographic variables in influencing epidemic and pandemic potential.
Applications should demonstrate the added value provided through the international collaboration proposed, which may include access to:
- knowledge
- expertise (scientific or socio-cultural)
- resources
- cohorts
- populations
We welcome interdisciplinary proposals, where appropriate. Review will include experts from a broad range of relevant disciplines.
UKRI, MoST and other funders in both countries have made significant investments in AMR and infectious disease research more broadly and we encourage you to carefully consider the value of linking to and building on existing investments.
What we will not fund
The scope of this funding opportunity does not include:
- proposals solely or primarily focused on either the UK or China. Applications to this scheme must demonstrate potential impact in both the UK and China. Please contact international@mrc.ukri.org for details of other funding opportunities in this space
- resistance in pathogens of relevance to crop health
- translational programmes focused on developing or evaluating new therapeutics, diagnostics or interventions to control or treat resistance or infections with epidemic potential
- applications focused on delivery of surveillance and detection programmes, as opposed to developing the tools to improve them
- proposals focused on healthcare provision or public health delivery
- proposals more appropriate to other existing funding opportunities or other research funders
- proposals that duplicate research and innovation activities previously supported
Duration
MRC will provide matched funding and bi-lateral support with MoST for three years.
The UK component of the grant must start by 7 February 2024. The start of the project may not be delayed beyond this date.
Funding available
In total, UKRI will make up to £6 million available in support of the UK component of the collaborative projects, with matched equivalent resource provided by MoST in support of the China components.
We aim to fund a range of projects across the three thematic areas detailed in the scope.
The size of grants will vary according to the needs of each research project but you will need to provide a robust case regarding value for money. We encourage a range of proposals, from smaller proposals focusing on a specific element of the scope to larger, multidisciplinary projects (particularly in thematic area three with fitting budget).
Please see the following breakdown of the UK expected contribution:
- theme one (budget approximately £1.5 million): study of infectious disease pathogens with epidemic potential (maximum amount per project is £0.5 million, matched by MoST for China component)
- theme two (budget approximately £1.5 million): mechanisms of pathogen resistance, from generation to evolution (maximum amount per project is £0.5 million, matched by MoST for China component)
- theme three (budget approximately £3 million): identifying the drivers of multi-resistant pathogens £3 million (maximum amount per project is £1.5 million, matched by MoST for China component)
MoST will provide matched funding to support a comparable research effort on the China side.
Please make it clear within your jointly prepared case for support and partnership letter which theme you are applying to. This must match the theme requested in your MoST application.
What we will fund
Each grant will require a UK principal investigator and a China principal investigator who will equally share leadership and project management for each project. Each principal investigator will apply for funding to support the specific component of the grant from their respective funding agency.
For the UK elements of the project you can request funding for costs such as:
- research costs:
- staff: directly incurred post (for example, researchers, technicians)
- staff: directly allocated posts (principal investigator and co-investigator time)
- equipment below £10,000: costs should be claimed as ‘Other Directly Incurred Costs’
- other directly incurred costs including (for example, consumables, outsourcing or sub-contracting costs)
- travel and subsistence for exchange or mobility activities
- cost of workshops, meetings etc. Should be costed as ‘Other Directly Incurred’
Please consult MoST guidance for more information on MoST funding eligibility.
What we will not fund
We will not fund:
- equipment items costing £10,000 (including VAT), or more
- costs for PhD studentships
- publication costs
Please see section three in the standard MRC guidance for applicants for information on full economic cost.
Supporting skills and talent
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.
Team project partners
You may include project partners that will support your research project through cash or in-kind contributions, such as:
- staff time
- access to equipment
- sites or facilities
- the provision of data
- software or materials
Each project partner must provide a letter of support.
If your application involves industry partners in either country, they must provide a company letter of support if the team project partner falls within the Industry Collaboration Framework.
Find out more about subcontractors and dual roles.
Please consult MoST guidance for more information on MoST funding eligibility.
Trusted research and innovation
UKRI is committed to ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks.
Trusted research and innovation is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our trusted research and innovation principles (PDF, 49KB) set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.
As your application involves international collaboration and will be funded through the International Science Partnership Fund, you will need complete a trusted research and innovation attachment to accompany your application. This should detail your plan for effective international collaboration while protecting intellectual property, sensitive research and personal information
