Transdisciplinary Funding to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Funding from UKRI to establish transdisciplinary networks to connect and expand UK antimicrobial resistance communities with researchers from a variety of disciplines.

UKRI is offering transdisciplinary funding to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The BBSRC is administering the opportunity with funding support from the AHRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and UKRI.

The opportunity is being delivered in two phases. In the first phase, £3 million will be available to establish transdisciplinary networks to connect and expand the UK AMR communities with researchers from a broad range of disciplines. The networks should have the knowledge and skills to transform understanding of AMR and deliver innovative and effective solutions by developing and applying a diverse range of methods.

Resistance by all microbes are within scope, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. In addition, resistance within and between all reservoirs of AMR are within scope, including: humans, animals (including companion animals and aquaculture), plants (including trees), natural environments, manmade environments, and the food chain.

A number of priority areas have been identified; however, these are not mandatory, and a single network may address several, one or none of these areas. The priority areas are:

• AMR in crop production, including impacts on other reservoirs of resistance and on food security.
• Methods, technologies and common frameworks for data collection and analysis, including rapid pathogen sequencing and antimicrobial usage.
• Non-pharmaceutical and non-chemical pesticide countermeasures, including social, cultural and economic interventions and solutions.
• Impact of climate change on AMR.

The networks should engage with existing relevant networks and will be required to work collectively in areas of common interest. They must be open to new members throughout the lifetime of the networks.

A total of £7 million is available in the second phase to facilitate evidence-based decision making through timely, high impact, and independent research on AMR that meets the needs of policymakers, practitioners, industry, civil and broader society. Only members and leaders established in phase one will be eligible to apply to the second phase.