Tackling bacterial and fungal antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Overview

• Opportunity status: Closed
• Type: Global health research
• Opening date: 22 April 2026 at 1:00 pm
• Closing date: 8 July 2026 at 1:00 pm
• Reference ID: 2026/402 The Global Health Research (GHR) Themed Programme offers annual researcher-led funding opportunities for applied research to prevent, detect and respond to key global health security threats and challenges in low and middle income countries (LMICs) eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Each year, a new themed funding opportunity will be advertised where needs have been identified in collaboration with LMIC stakeholders. This means you can apply for research funding within the advertised themed area.

2026 Global Health Research Themed Programme focus

Our 2026 Global Health Research theme is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens on the World Health Organisation (WHO) priority lists. This choice of theme was informed by existing areas of need, including those identified by the WHO Global Research Agenda for AMR, horizon scanning and a consultation with key stakeholders. It was further refined by experts from an independent scientific advisory group. This process highlighted a lack of evidence on real-world implementation of interventions designed to:

• strengthen antimicrobial stewardship
• prevent AMR infections
• improve AMR-related health outcomes This is a 2-stage, researcher-led funding opportunity. To apply for the first stage, you should submit an outline application. If invited to the second stage, you will then need to complete a full application.

Eligibility

See our GHR Themed: scope and eligibility page for details about the overall programme remit and eligibility criteria.

Funding available

For this funding opportunity, there are 3 bands of funding available. This recognises the breadth of research proposals - ranging from broad, ambitious research to projects with a narrow scope. The bands are based on:

• the scale and ambition of the proposed research
• the maturity of partnerships
• the teams’ experience
• expected capacity strengthening plans

Band 1 - £3-5 million

Band 1 is for experienced teams with established collaborations proposing ambitious, multi-country programmes. It is for more established research partnerships and experienced teams proposing ambitious programmes of research and capacity strengthening. The research will be delivered through linked work packages typically across multiple country contexts. Funded programmes are expected to lead to significant impact on health outcomes, policy and practice, and strengthen research capacity.

Band 2 - £1.5-3 million

Band 2 is for less mature partnerships proposing substantial new or expanded programmes. It is for developing less mature research partnerships with varying levels of experience proposing to undertake a significant programme of research and extend existing research and capacity strengthening, and/or include additional settings. The scope and complexity of these programmes can include multiple linked components or may comprehensively address a single research area. Funded programmes will lead to lasting impact on health outcomes, policy and practice, and strengthen research capacity.

Band 3 - £0.5-1.5 million

Band 3 is for new or early-career-led teams undertaking smaller or earlier-stage projects, often in a single setting. Or innovative, higher risk projects from more experienced teams. It is suitable for teams proposing a research project which may be at an early or developmental stage. It may be delivered in a single country context. Band 3 projects will have a narrower focus than band 1 and 2 programmes. Proportionate to the amount of funds requested, the project can range from a single study to a combination of studies. Projects should offer opportunities for early to mid-career researchers to develop leadership skills and progress their own research ideas. Smaller higher-risk, innovative projects may be considered from more experienced teams where this is well justified. Funded projects will have clear outcomes and defined pathways to impact on health outcomes, policy and practice and strengthen research capacity.

Key dates

Webinar

We held a webinar on Tuesday 12 May 2026 to provide advice for applicants. A recording is now available on YouTube.

Research specification

We plan to fund a new portfolio of research that will improve health outcomes associated with AMR in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia related to bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Rationale

AMR is a major global public health concern. It is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. The global burden of bacterial AMR mortality alone is estimated to be higher than that of HIV/AIDS or malaria. An estimated 39 million people are expected to die from AMR infections between 2025 and 2050 [Naghavi M et al, 2024]. While AMR is a significant public health challenge across the world, higher death rates are seen in LMICs.

Remit

This funding opportunity will support research that generates high-quality evidence on the impact of interventions to improve health outcomes by reducing the AMR burden in ODA‑eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Measurable impacts may include clinical, health system or societal health outcomes that can be realised and scaled up for sustained impact on AMR.

Priorities and focus

Research should focus on:

• late-phase evaluations of interventions, including late-phase clinical trials and/or
• implementation of interventions that are expected to significantly reduce the burden of AMR in LMICs. We are interested in interventions that are practical, affordable, scalable and sustainable, with an evaluable impact on AMR. We also welcome innovative solutions within existing services in resource-constrained settings. Research may address:
• prevention - for example, vaccines and infection prevention and control measures
• detection - for example:
  • improved approaches to AMR surveillance and data mobilisation
  • laboratory capacity and staff training
  • affordable diagnostics - for example, point-of-care tests
• treatment - for example, improved access to effective treatments
• improved antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship
• health systems strengthening, including:
  • workforce
  • financing
  • incentives
  • governance
  • supply chain Settings may include, but are not limited to, community, primary care, including pharmacies, and secondary and tertiary healthcare. Primary outcomes must be relevant to human health and have a demonstrable impact on the burden of AMR. We are interested in interventions with demonstrated efficacy but lacking real-world evidence of effectiveness, or implementation and scalability in new contexts. We particularly welcome research that seeks to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations including pregnant women, newborns, children and adolescents. We will consider other vulnerable groups if you provide a clear justification for their inclusion in your application.

Scope

In scope Applications must focus on WHO priority bacterial and fungal pathogens (excluding tuberculosis (TB)), where AMR is a recognised issue. Proposals need not be limited to a single priority pathogen. The following are in scope:

• evaluations of interventions with clear signals of efficacy in reducing AMR that focus on real-world effectiveness
• evaluations of implementation of effective interventions or solutions, which focus on adaptation to different settings, scale-up and sustainability
• evaluations of interventions which have demonstrable effects on AMR endpoints
• single clinical syndromes highly impacted by AMR
• implementation of new and/or improved methods, tests or tools to help strengthen existing AMR surveillance systems as part of antimicrobial stewardship
• interventions that include targeting environmental determinants of AMR as part of a larger programme of work and with clear human health outcomes
• strengthening health services, policies and systems
• AMR in vulnerable groups, including maternal and neonatal populations
• interaction of AMR infections and multimorbidity and/or aging Applications must demonstrate demand from LMIC stakeholders with links to relevant local, regional or national policies and priorities for tackling the burden of AMR infections. Additionally, we welcome applications that include elements of methodology research as part of a wider programme of work. Proposed projects must:
• meet a clear methods gap
• contribute to the aims of the funding opportunity
• have generalised applicability to improve health research methods in LMICs Methodology research components should not form a significant part of the overall research plans and must not exceed 5% of the overall award value.

Out of scope The following is out of scope:

• applications on TB, viral or parasitic AMR, and other pathogens not on WHO bacterial or fungal priority pathogen lists
  • research on environmental determinants of AMR, where these are the sole focus or where there are no clear human health outcomes
• research primarily focused on social determinants of infections, for example malnutrition
• research primarily focused on non-communicable diseases
• testing of proof of concept or basic efficacy and safety of interventions, including phase 1 and 2 clinical trials
• research on implementation of interventions with unproven efficacy
• applications that lack clearly defined pathways to impact on AMR-related health outcomes, policy and practice
• research that focuses on the implementation of new AMR surveillance systems, rather than improving existing surveillance

Programme of work

We will support broad multi-faceted programmes of applied health research and capacity strengthening focusing on interventions to reduce the burden of AMR. Research should be multidisciplinary and may include late-stage trials, social, behavioural, health systems and implementation research, proportionate to the scale of funding requested. Study designs should be justified and appropriate to the research planned. Health economics research to assess economic impact of AMR and cost effectiveness of related interventions will be appropriate to some programmes of work. We also welcome AMR-related health systems and policy analysis included as part of a wider research programme. Research partnerships must be equitable and inclusive, and address LMIC needs. Community engagement and involvement (CEI) should be embedded into the research and undertaken in collaboration with the communities who are most likely to be affected. Vulnerable groups must have a meaningful voice throughout the research. More information on engaging and involving communities can be found on our CEI web page and in our GHR core guidance for applicants. Applications should include research capacity strengthening (RCS) in their programme activities. This may include individual and institutional research capacity to address these needs within LMIC contexts. Plans should be proportionate to the ambition and scale of funding requested. Approximately 10-25% of the total research award funding should be used for research capacity strengthening, including formal training posts. Formal training posts must be included for applications to band 1 and band 2. All RCS activities should be completed within the term of the award. RCS activities for all partners may include:

• training individuals in technical research skills such as expertise in conducting late-stage trials, social and behavioural research, health systems and implementation research, appropriate research methods and statistical analyses
• training in transferable skills such as grant writing, writing for publication, communication and influencing, time management and team working
• providing training and support for early career researchers and/or post-doctoral researchers from LMICs
• supporting research publications with LMIC lead authors
• establishing networks or communities of practice that facilitate learning and knowledge sharing
• funding full or partial formal LMIC researcher training posts, for example, MSc/MPhil/MRes/PhDs or equivalent - where possible, the programme should be undertaken in an ODA-eligible country
• supporting institutional training and development for research management and support staff in, for example, finance, human resources, technical or laboratory support; data, grant and project management
• establishing or strengthening institutional systems for coaching, mentoring and/or peer mentorship
• strengthening and sustaining institutional support systems, such as IT and libraries Please refer to the GHR Themed Programme: scope and eligibility page, ‘what we fund’ and ‘what we do not fund’ and our GHR core guidance for applicants for more details. Your application should clearly meet the remit, research specification scope and our GHR funding assessment criteria for the advertised funding opportunity.

Outputs

We expect applications to show clear pathways to impact for the research we fund. You should demonstrate stakeholder demand for the research evidence and consider the timing and nature of deliverables. You are encouraged to maximise the impact of the research and should explain how you will mobilise knowledge and ensure that it is useful and relevant to stakeholders such as:

• policy makers
• health and care providers
• government agencies and regulators
• public health officers
• special interest groups
• charities and third sector organisations
• community audiences
• other stakeholders

Duration and costs

The opportunity offers 3 bands of funding ranging from £0.5 million to £5 million over 3-5 years per award, depending on the funding band. The GHR Programme uses the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget from the UK Government. Value for money is one of the key criteria that peer reviewers and commissioning committee members will use to assess applications.

Research inclusion

You must detail how you have considered inclusive research design and sex and gender throughout the whole research lifecycle and provide information on any associated costs. For full details see: Global Health Research inclusive research funding application guidance

Application guidance

Please read the following guidance to help you complete your application:

• Global Health Research outline application guidance: this lists the fields that appear in the awards management system and explains what information you need to include for each one
• GHR Thematic Programme application guidance: see the information below for specific requirements our programme looks for in applications
• GHR Thematic Programme scope and eligibility page: details about the programme remit
• GHR Core guidance for applicants: this covers the key principles of NIHR GHR funding
• funding assessment criteria
• inclusive research application guidance: it is important that you fully consider inclusive research design throughout the whole research lifecycle
• finance guidance for applicants

Contracting organisation

We will disburse funding to the contracting institution only. The contracting institution will be responsible for the onward disbursement of funds to all collaborating institutions. This includes all named LMIC or UK Joint Lead institutions, as relevant. You should confirm that for your contracting organisation this disbursement is within your national government rules on receipt of ODA funds. The contracting institution must also be responsible for ensuring due diligence and financial governance is completed across the partnership. Contracting institutions should review the terms of the current DHSC ODA research contract (/research-funding/application-support/signing-contract/global-health-example). Please consider how these terms will be shared with your research delivery partners. Prior to contracting we will ask you to complete a Due Diligence assessment from your contracting institution - please ensure you are familiar with the due diligence questionnaire.

Monitoring and deliverables

We will include the submission of Risk Registers and a Theory of Change as contracted milestone deliverables. We will monitor annual milestones and deliverables. These will be reviewed/agreed annually and aligned with original approved aims and deliverables. We will also review the progress of funded applications after the first 6 months of contracting. This allows us to ensure the effective set-up and delivery of initial milestones has been achieved. We will then actively monitor contracts through quarterly finance/high-level progress reporting.

Research plan

Your research plan should be a maximum of 5 A4 pages. When reviewing applications, we will not consider any additional information over this 5 page limit. Please see the GHR funding guidance for outline applications for details.

Uploads

Please add the following to the ‘Uploads’ section of your application. Please note we will remove any additional uploads not required, or those which are larger than the stated limits. References (mandatory) Upload 1 single-side A4 page .pdf document, using Arial size 12 font, listing references used throughout your application. Please include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the main related publications. Please use the Harvard or Vancouver referencing style. Flexible upload (not required for this funding opportunity)

Download application form template

You can download a Word document template of the application form below. Please use this template as a guide only, to help you prepare your application. For example, to see how many characters are accepted in each section and to see how information in the form is laid out. Please do not try to use this as an application form; it cannot be submitted as an application. You must submit your application online via our awards management system. global-health-research-outline-application-form-template.docx DOCX Last updated: 26 November 2025 Download document (2.32 MB)

Application process

Find out how to apply for this funding opportunity and what you need to do to get your application ready. How to apply This funding opportunity is on our new awards management system and you will need to create a new account if you do not have one already. Log in to our application system to apply. Apply for the band that is best suited to your research:

• 2026/402: band 1 (£3-5 million)
• 2026/403: band 2 (£1.5-3 million)
• 2026/404: band 3 (£0.5-1.5 million) The closing date is 8 July 2026 at 1pm UK time. Applications received after 1pm on the closing date will not be considered. Please read all guidance detailed in the 'Application guidance' section of this funding opportunity.

Our commitment to research inclusion and reasonable adjustments

At NIHR we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities bringing diverse skills and experiences. If you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, please contact the programme team via the information in the Contact Details tab.

Contact Details

• If you have any questions, or need help with your application contact nihrglobalhealth@nihr.ac.uk
• For more information about the funding programme, visit the GHR Themed Programme page