It aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers, funders and those interested in understanding changing socio-economic and health circumstances, and to enhance opportunities for international and interdisciplinary research collaboration. Its development has been supported by the Global  Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), which funds cutting-edge research addressing challenges faced by LMICs.

The LMIC LPS Directory is searchable by geographic location or topic and provides an initial summary of the details of each LMIC LPS included. In addition it provides a link to individual study websites, where further information and relevant contact details can be found.

All studies included in the LMIC Directory:

  • are longitudinal population studies
  • are carried out in Low and Middle Income Countries
  • use a sample size of more than 500 households or 1,500 individuals at baseline.

The information included in the LMIC LPS Directory has been collated from information currently available online following an extensive search. However, the LMIC LPS Directory is not a comprehensive overview of all LMIC LPSs and is open to the inclusion of other existing LPSs, and new LPSs as they are developed. Each individual study profile indicates whether or not the information provided on that study has been verified by a core study team member; we are seeking to ensure that all entries are verified over time. Principal investigators are invited to contact us to amend details of included studies, or submit new studies for inclusion.

There is an existing UK Cohort Directory which has been in place for about three years, and is a key reference point for those seeking to build UK research collaborations based on LPSs. Building on this experience, we hope the new LMIC LPS Directory will greatly enhance opportunities for collaboration across the globe.