NIHR Policy Research Programme Call on Epidemiology for Vaccinology (deadline: 14th November 2017)

The NIHR is offering £1.5m for an in-depth research investigation into the use and development of epidemiological models, tools, and technologies to aid deployment and clinical trialling of vaccines in outbreak situations for the twelve diseases listed as high-priority by the UK Vaccine Network. As a secondary focus, they are supplying £3.5m for multiple projects assessing and aiding the development of other relevant tools, technologies, and methodologies in this field. The focus of this research should be on low- and middle-income countries as seen on the OECD’s DAC list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients.

The primary project should include a programme of epidemiological impact assessments for each of the twelve diseases identified by the UK Vaccine Network as high-priority:

  • Ebola
  • Marburg
  • Lassa Fever
  • Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever
  • Hantavirus
  • Rift Valley Fever
  • MERS
  • Plague
  • Q Fever
  • Zika
  • Chikungunya, and
  • Nipah

These will inform rigorous models of outbreak spread patterns, and designs for both unlicensed vaccines (to be deployed in field trials) and licensed vaccines.

The remaining funds are to be allocated flexibly across a broader range of projects, including (but not limited to): development of novel tools and methodologies for use in outbreak scenarios, disease outbreak biostatistics, and other work that is relevant to the epidemiology in outbreak scenarios. Vaccine development and diagnostic development are not included in the remit. Lead applicants should be based in a UK university or research institute, and demonstrate an established network and track record in delivering comparable work in resource-poor settings. They must also meet ODA funding criteria.

The funding for each project will be between £250 000 and £750 000. The deadline for this application is 14 November 2017; second-stage applications (for successful stage one applicants) are due by 16 January 2017. The contract is to be awarded by end March 2018.

Please find further information and apply here.