UKRI Interdisciplinary Research to Tackle Epidemic Threats

Funding to undertake ambitious interdisciplinary research to tackle epidemic diseases of animals, humans or plants for a duration of up to five years.

This UKRI funding opportunity is part of Tackling Infections, one of five strategic themes included in the UKRI Strategy 2022 to 2027: Transforming Tomorrow Together. The opportunity follows Phase one: Develop interdisciplinary research proposals to tackle epidemic threats, which provided seed funding to build diverse interdisciplinary teams.

Phase one provided seed funding to build interdisciplinary teams and develop research ideas to encourage new disciplines and groups into this research and innovation area. Through this second funding opportunity, UKRI wants to fund research in a range of key areas where there is a clear epidemic threat. Applicants do not need to be in receipt of phase one funding and applications from new or established groups are welcomed.

The aim is to improve epidemic preparedness by supporting ambitious interdisciplinary research that will:

• Improve understanding of factors that influence the risk and severity of infectious disease threats.
• Inform new ways to manage and respond to infectious disease threats.

The conducting of such research will enhance capability to respond to these threats, through stimulating interdisciplinary research capacity and expertise.

Funded projects are expected to become national or international focal points for epidemic-relevant interdisciplinary research in their chosen area. They will produce outputs that have positive and tangible impacts to better understand, predict and prevent epidemics in the UK or internationally. As a group of funded projects, they will work collectively to share learning, expertise and interdisciplinary best practice, where appropriate.

The research proposed should be ambitiously interdisciplinary and cross the distinct disciplinary remits of at least three UKRI research councils. UKRI is looking for novel and ambitious applications that could not be funded through standard, single council-led opportunities, with the goal of integrating knowledge and approaches across a broad range of disciplines and research and innovation areas. Such applications will bring fresh perspectives and evidence to the understanding of (re-)emerging animal, human, or plant infectious diseases, leading to outputs that will enable better prediction and prevention of future threats.

Research undertaken both within and beyond the UK is permitted. Infectious disease emergence and spread does not conform to national boundaries, being controlled by many factors including geography, society, and geo-politics. As such UKRI expects research to be undertaken internationally as appropriate. Applications with significant input and contribution from researchers based in LMICs are welcome, and LMIC leadership as co-leads (international) is expected where projects have an LMIC focus.