Area of investment and support

Area of investment and support: Joint global health trials

This programme aims to generate new knowledge about interventions by funding research that will contribute to the improvement of health in low and middle income countries, particularly addressing questions of major importance to mortality and morbidity.

Partners involved:
Medical Research Council (MRC), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Wellcome

The scope and what we're doing

Launched in 2010, the Joint Global Health Trials (JGHT) scheme provides funding for research to generate new knowledge about interventions that will contribute to the improvement of health in low and middle income countries.

The partner agencies believe that in order to have maximum impact on health we need to work together to provide evidence of the best and most appropriate interventions.

The purpose of this scheme is to fund rigorous research to produce implementable evidence addressing questions of major importance to mortality and morbidity in low and middle income countries. The scheme primarily funds randomised clinical trials but innovative trial methodologies and adaptive designs are also welcome. The scheme focuses on late-stage (equivalent to phase three and four) clinical and health intervention trials that evaluate efficacy and effectiveness but we may also consider phase 2b stage trials if they are of major relevance to the objectives of the funding opportunity.

The scheme funded proposals for any major health related problem affecting low and middle income countries, particularly those that affect the most vulnerable populations. Although the breadth of the scheme is deliberately wide, we particularly welcomed proposals for research into chronic non-communicable diseases, including mental health, reproductive, maternal and newborn health.

Opportunities, support and resources available

The present funding partnership is coming to a close, meaning there are no further funding opportunities due to launch under this initiative.

Funding late phase global health trials remains a strategic priority for MRC and our partners and we are currently exploring what next.

If you have an idea for a trial, we would like to hear from you to inform the design of future funding in this area. Please contact Caroline Harris to discuss at jght@mrc.ukri.org.

Past projects, outcomes and impact

Past awards

The joint funders have run 10 successful funding opportunities for this scheme.

Find impact studies for previously funded JGHT projects.

Review of the JGHT funding scheme

After the seventh funding opportunity had finished, the funders commissioned an independent review of the scheme to understand the impact of JGHT funding and to determine if it was delivering its core aims. The evidence reviewed demonstrated that JGHT is delivering on its core aim and has achieved tangible outcomes and impacts: JGHT-funded research has generated new knowledge about interventions which in turn are starting to contribute to improving health in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

Read the JGHT review summary, full report and case studies.

Who to contact

Ask a question or discuss an idea for a trial

Email: JGHT@mrc.ukri.org

Last updated: 15 August 2024

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