The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to inform the University Community that the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Global Health Research Themed Programme is inviting applications to support multidisciplinary research that generates high-quality evidence on the impact of interventions to improve health outcomes by reducing the burden of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia countries related to bacterial and fungal pathogens.

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 

Award Amount and Duration

Up to – £ 500, 000 to £5000,000 for 3 – 5 years.

Eligibility

• The contracting institution must be a HEI or Research Institute from LMICs within Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. An eligible LMIC or UK Research Institute is defined as a non-profit research organisation with:
• A demonstrable track record in obtaining funding for research through competitive processes, and delivering successful outcomes from this funding.
• A track record in building and strengthening research capacity including Masters, PhD, and other formal training.
• The ability to manage internationally competitive awards through research support functions such as finance, intellectual property (IP), and procurement, as well as the ability to receive funds and transfer them to partner organisations within and between countries, considering the specific legal framework of their location.
• The capacity to track all expenditures, complete quarterly financial reports, manage virements between budget headings, and respond to audit requests.
• Institutions can submit multiple applications however, they must ensure that at least 50% of the lead applicants are women. If this is not possible, they will need to justify why not, and show strategies in place to address this over the longer term. You should consider NIHR’s position on equity and research inclusion at all levels of the awards, including leadership, governance and delivery.
• Applications must align with applied health research and capacity strengthening to prevent, detect and respond to global health security threats and challenges, focusing on:

1. Vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for infectious diseases that have the potential to cause epidemics or pandemics.
2. Pandemic preparedness
3. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
4. Addressing infectious diseases of the most vulnerable populations.
5. Breaking the cycle between malnutrition (undernutrition) and infection.

 The lead applicant must hold employment at an eligible institution in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.

• Co-PIs must be employed by an eligible LMIC institution or the other joint lead can be employed by a different eligible LMIC institution, or an eligible UK institution.
• You may include collaborators in ODA-eligible countries outside sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. You may also include other high-income countries where this is justified based on scientific need and expertise.
• You can apply for different levels of funding dependent on whether you are:

 1. Part of an experienced research team with already established global health research programmes and partnerships.

2. Part of a less-established research team with new global health research ideas.

3. Part of an early career-led or new team undertaking smaller or earlier-stage projects.

 Funding Webinar

May 12, 2026. Register with this link.

 Deadline

 July 8, 2026 at 13:00 UK Time

 For more information on the call, kindly visit this Link

 Interested applicants should write to rid-grantsmgt@ug.edu.gh  or alasante@ug.edu.gh to indicate their intention to apply for institutional guidance and administrative support.