Global research programme to tackle humanitarian crises

The Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Medical Research Council have announced £225m funding across 37 interdisciplinary projects that aim to address challenges in fields such as health, humanitarian crises, conflict, environment, economy, domestic violence, society and technology.

Leading experts from the UK and across the world, have joined forces with the aim to build upon research knowledge in the UK, and strengthen capacity overseas to help address challenges in the developing countries.

Projects led by the MRC include:

• GCRF-Crick African Network, led by Professor Robert Wilkinson of The Francis Crick Institute
• Increasing eye research capacity and capabilities to tackle the burden of blindness in India, led by Professor Sobha Sivaprasad of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Partnership for increasing the impact of vector control, led by Professor Hilary Ranson of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• Improving pregnancy care across sub-Saharan Africa, led by Professor Peter von Dadelszen, St George’s University of London
• Assisting Bangladesh in lifestyle and environmental risk reduction, led by Professor John Danesh, University of Cambridge
• Reducing tobacco-related harm, in low and middle income countries, led by Professor Linda Bauld, University of Stirling
• South Asia self-harm research capability building initiative, led by Professor Catherine Robinson, Bangor University
• A global network for neglected tropical diseases, led by Professor Graham Sandford of Durham University
• Ensure value for money health care – developing theory, changing practice, led by Professor Mark Sculpher of University of York.

Andrew Thompson, RCUK GCRF Champion, said: “The 37 projects announced build research capacity both here in the UK and in developing countries to address systemic development challenges, from African agriculture to sustainable cities, clean oceans, and green energy, to improved healthcare, food security, and gender equality.

Professor Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive designate of UK Research and Innovation, said: “In the same way that facing these global challenges requires a multi-national response, finding the solutions to them requires researchers from many disciplines to work together. The Global Challenges Research Fund makes that possible, and means that the UK’s world-leading researchers are able to get on with the job of working with each other and partners across the globe to make the world and society more sustainable.”