MRF Impact of Climate Change on Health Research Grants

Grants for mid-career researchers in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa to conduct collaborative projects aimed at tackling the impact of climate change on health in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Medical Research Foundation (MRF) is an independent research-funding charity established by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRF maintains several funding streams to support cutting-edge research to increase understanding of disease and benefit public health.

The MRF has allocated £4 million for a new research grant programme – Impact of Climate Change on Health Research Grants – to support mid-career researchers in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa conducting collaborative projects that will increase understanding of the mechanisms underpinning, and processes involved in, the impact of climate change on health, including infectious diseases and other non-infectious health outcomes that disproportionately affect tropical regions.

The funding is also intended to support researchers who are seeking to develop careers in the health impacts of climate change field and are making the transition to research independence.

Projects should aim to develop a new collaboration or solidify an existing partnership between the two mid-career researchers – expanding research networks and building research profiles to develop emerging researchers in both countries.

The proposed research should be predominantly based in a sub-Saharan African context and have a ‘view to action’, with a clear proposal on how the research results could be taken forward for interventions and implementation in the future. Grants can be used to conduct research studies, generate data and sustainable collaborations, and develop the basis for further research and competitive research proposals for larger funding.

Transdisciplinary approaches are strongly encouraged to drive forward understanding of the factors involved in the impact of climate change on health.

Research proposals could include, but are not limited to

• Understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning the impact of climate change on human health.
• The development and implementation of treatments for climate-change related illnesses.
• Understanding and reducing the impact of climate change on health and well-being.

Research into climate change outside of the scope of impact on health outcomes is not eligible.

Recipients of the Impact of Climate Chance on Health Research Grants will also be given access to a bespoke programme of support that will aim to strengthen their skills and further consolidate the climate change research community. Opportunities will include training in the establishment of equitable partnerships, grant-writing workshops and networking events.