The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – Southeast Asia Collaboration on Infectious Diseases funding call is now open for submission to interested researchers. This funding opportunity aims to  (1)  fund collaborative projects involving the UK and one or more partner countries to address the challenges of AMR and pathogens with epidemic potential of relevance to Southeast Asia, (2) enhance existing and develop new sustainable partnerships between the UK and Southeast Asia research partners, and (3) strengthen research capacity in the Southeast Asia region through supporting long-term research relationships.

This collaboration is led by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with seven Southeast  Asian countries including the Philippines through the  Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). DOST-PCHRD will also be proving the funding counterpart for successfully selected proposals involving Filipino researchers and institutions. 

Call Guidelines and Overall Application Process 

Interested researchers may apply for funding to conduct a bilateral project involving the UK and one Southeast Asian country, or a multilateral project involving the UK and multiple Southeast Asian countries. Multilateral projects involving the UK and two or more Southeast Asian partner countries, including the Philippines  are encouraged.

Complete detailed information on the call scope, eligibility criteria and submission mechanism can be checked in the UKRI post for the call. 

Applications will be accepted starting 14 March 2024 9:00am UK time (5:00 PM ph time) until  30 May 2024 4:00pm UK time (11:59 pm PH time).  

Specific Requirements for Proposals with Philippine Counterparts 

For proposals with a Philippine counterpart,  Filipino researchers  must further check the detailed requirements (page 14-18) for the counterpart funding to be requested from DOST-PCHRD. In summary the following shall apply: 

1. The DOST Grants-in-Aid Guidelines shall apply for the proponent and implementing agency  eligibility requirements, country-specific documentary/legal requirements,  and in terms of the budget that can be requested.  Rates for honoraria and personnel salary shall also follow DOST-prescribed rates.
2. DOST-PCHRD will fund a maximum of six (6) projects with PhP 15-20M budget cap for each project for a maximum duration of three (3) years. 
3. DOST-PCHRD is especially looking for fundamental and applied studies that will address the following:

        Re-emerging and Emerging Pathogens:

1. 1. Studies on modifiable risk factors, environmental exposure, and antibiotic-resistant diseases of public health importance.
   2. Development of screening, diagnosis or monitoring tools
      1. Diagnostics / POC 
   3. Vaccine development R&D for diseases of public health importance
   4. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for re-emerging and emerging diseases

        AMR:

1. 1. Community knowledge, perceptions, practices, and/or behavior (prescription practices, marketing) correlated with AMR 
   2. Studies of alternative therapeutics against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens
   3. Innovative AMR detection technologies
   4. Diagnostics / POC 
   5. Genetic, molecular and physiologic AMR studies and innovation for antimicrobials.
   6. Digital health/AI approaches

4. Proposals for the Philippines must also be submitted through the DOST Project Management Information System: https://dpmis.dost.gov.ph/. The system will be open from submission from March 14, 2024 5;00 PM to May 31, 2024. 11:59 PM, PH time.

Information to be submitted should exactly match the submissions made to the UKRI system. Copies of submission to the UKRI system should also be uploaded as supplementary files.  

These application  requirements following DOST-GIA Guidelines will also apply: 

• Informed Consent Form, if applicable
• Case Report Form, if applicable
• Endorsement letter of the Agency Head
• Curriculum Vitae of Proponent(s)
• Duties and Responsibilities of each Project Personnel
• Letter of request addressed to the PCHRD Executive Director: Dr. Jaime C. Montoya 

DOST-PCHRD will also require the proponent to submit the following documents before the start of project implementation: 

• Biosafety Clearance, if applicable
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Clearance, if applicable 
• Bureau of Animal Industry Clearance, if applicable
• Ethics Clearance (for studies involving human subjects)

For Inquiries About the Call

• For overall questions related to this specific funding opportunity please contact: international@mrc.ukri.org
• Any queries regarding the UKRI system or the submission of applications through the Funding Service should be directed to the UKRI helpdesk.
  • Email: support@funding-service.ukri.org
    Phone: 01793 547490
• For queries on the Philippine-specific requirements and  DOST DPMIS submission process, please email:

• Ms. Melissa C. Bulao

Supervising  SRS, R&D Management Division, DOST-PCHRD

mbulao@pchrd.dost.gov.ph 

Ms. Guidditta L. Gelera 

Senior SRS, R&D Management Division, DOST-PCHRD

glgelera@pchrd.dost.gov.ph 

• Filipino researchers are encouraged to copy DOST-PCHRD in their email inquiries to UKRI.