Prepare for future disease epidemics and halt the ‘slow motion pandemic’ of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Through our five year strategy Transforming Tomorrow Together 2022 to 2027, UKRI aims to harness the full power of the UK’s research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges. To do this, we have identified five strategic themes to enable working across disciplines and leveraging new and existing investment and activity.
Tackling infections is one of the themes. It will bolster our national defence and response capabilities by tackling infectious diseases that pose threats to people, livestock, crops and natural resources in more integrated and innovative ways.
In particular, we aim to better prepare for future disease epidemics and more effectively tackle the slow-moving pandemic of antimicrobial resistance.
Phase one
Interdisciplinary tackling infections flagships in epidemic preparedness
An interdisciplinary initiative to better understand, predict and prevent re-emergence of diseases of epidemic potential. Initial investments will seed interdisciplinary teams and research ideas. Larger scale programmatic awards will address research questions and establish a networked, interdisciplinary research community better prepared to address future threats.
Interdisciplinary tackling infections flagships in antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
An interdisciplinary programme to deliver innovative and effective AMR solutions. An initial tranche of funding will support a broad suite of capacity building awards, evolving into a more focused set of larger scale programmatic awards, and developing complementarity with the Innovate UK AMR feasibility/accelerator and Candidate Translation programme.
Amplification
Leveraging core commitments in targeted priority areas to develop investment scale, pace and interdisciplinary inclusivity, injecting collective value to programmes in various stages of current development.
Phase two
Gap-filling and augmentation programme
Taking stock of and building on the key capabilities established in phase one, working with the tackling infections programme board to identify priority gaps and additional opportunities to add further value to the core programme components.
Focus
Details to be confirmed.