International COVID-19 call opens to support world’s most vulnerable people – UK Research and Innovation
07/05/2020
(Credit: AJ_Watt/GettyImages)
UK Research and Innovation is inviting funding proposals through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the Newton Fund which will directly address the negative impacts of COVID-19 across developing countries where communities are already vulnerable due to long-term conflict, food and water shortages and crowded living conditions.
This new call, which builds on the multidisciplinary partnerships formed through the two global funds to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, will consider proposals of up to 18 months for new funding as well as requests to re-purpose existing UKRI award funding on active GCRF grants.
Professor Andrew Thompson, UKRI’s International Champion, said: “There is an urgent need to understand the specific challenges faced by some of the world’s poorest people in the face of this global health crisis.
“The agile nature of the Global Challenges Research Fund in particular means that we are well placed to harness the skills of the international development research community quickly to help tackle this pandemic.
“This call will bring together researchers, policy makers and experts with local knowledge to understand and develop solutions to mitigate the short and long-term health, social and economic consequences of COVID-19, helping to make our most vulnerable communities more resilient.”
About GCRF
GCRF is a £1.5 billion fund supporting cutting-edge research and innovation that addresses the global issues faced by developing countries, and forms part of the UK Government’s ODA commitment.
It harnesses the strengths of the UK’s world-leading researchers enabling them to collaborate with experts in developing countries through equitable partnerships. GCRF focuses on funding challenge-led disciplinary and interdisciplinary research; strengthening capability for research, innovation and knowledge exchange; and providing an agile response to emergencies where there is an urgent research or on-the-ground need. The fund is managed by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered through nine partners.
About the Newton Fund
The Newton Fund builds research and innovation partnerships with 17 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support economic development and social welfare, tackle global challenges and develop talent and careers. It has a total UK Government investment of £735 million up until 2021. The fund is managed by BEIS and delivered by UK and international partners.
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