UK-China Collaborations Invited to Research Epidemic Preparedness and AMR

A China-UK Flagship Challenge funding opportunity to support China-UK research teams in the field of One Health research for epidemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MoST) are providing funding to support China-UK research teams in the field of One Health research for epidemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The funding is being provided as part of a China-UK Flagship Challenge funding opportunity. The initiative builds on previous engagement between the UK and China and represents the third flagship challenge between the two countries to work together to enrich the science and innovation collaboration between their research communities.

The shared aims of the scheme are to:

  • Provide funding for bilateral collaborative projects focused on addressing the challenge of AMR and infectious pathogens with epidemic potential.
  • Enhance existing and develop new partnerships between the UK and China.
  • Support the mobility and exchange of UK and China researchers between the two countries, to enhance long-term links and relationships between researchers in both countries.
  • Strengthen the strategic relationship between the UK and China.

The intention is to support a range of projects across the following three areas:

  • Study of infectious disease pathogens with epidemic potential.
  • Mechanisms of pathogen resistance from generation to evolution.
  • Identifying the drivers of multi-resistant pathogens.

Applicants are responsible for developing their own collaborations. The proposal should be jointly developed by a UK principal investigator and a China principal investigator. They should develop a common research plan and vision and equally share leadership and project management for the project.

UK applicants must meet MRC eligibility requirements. Applicants are advised to consult the MRC eligibility guidance for applicants as well as the MRC guidance for applicants document before submitting an application.

A total of £6 million is available to support the UK component of the collaborative projects. A range of proposals are encouraged, from smaller proposals focusing on a specific element of the scope to larger, multidisciplinary projects

The UK component of the grant must start by 7 February 2024. MRC and MoST will provide matched funding for up to three years.

For UK applicants, Expressions of Interest should be submitted by the 11 May 2023 (11:00 BST) deadline.

Full applications on the UK side should be submitted by the 7 June 2023 (16:00 BST) deadline.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)