Medical staff conduct clinical trials and monitor a patient in a hospital room
Organization: WELLCOME
Duration: 3-5 years
Application deadline: June 2nd, 2026
ABOUT
Researchers working in infectious diseases have a significant opportunity to secure major funding through the Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award: Optimising Interventions for Impact, offered by Wellcome in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This competitive funding call supports large-scale, high-impact clinical trials aimed at improving the effectiveness of existing pharmaceutical interventions in low- and middle-income countries.
The award is designed to support transdisciplinary research teams conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that optimise licensed vaccines or therapeutics for infectious diseases. The goal is to generate evidence that directly informs policy, clinical practice, and treatment guidelines, ultimately improving health outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Funding
- £1 million to £8 million per project
Who Can Apply
- Africa
- South Asia
- South-East Asia (excluding mainland China)
Key requirements
- A lead applicant and at least one co-applicant based in eligible regions
- At least 50% of the team located in these regions
- A team size of up to eight applicants (plus collaborators)
- Applicants must be affiliated with eligible institutions such as universities, research institutes, healthcare organisations, or non-profits
Who Is Not Eligible
- The lead applicant is based outside eligible regions
- The proposal involves unlicensed interventions or early-phase trials (Phase 1–3)
- The research does not align with specified disease areas
- The application lacks collaboration (single applicants are not eligible)
Priority Disease Areas
- Mycobacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis, leprosy)
- Bacterial infections (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, respiratory or bloodstream infections)
- Invasive fungal infections
- Neglected tropical diseases, including dengue, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis
What the Research Must Deliver
- Optimize the use of existing vaccines or treatments
- Address gaps in real-world effectiveness data
- Influence policy, guidelines, or clinical practice
- Improve outcomes in underserved or high-burden populations
Assessment Criteria
1. Research Quality (50%)
- Scientific strength and feasibility of the clinical trial
- Clear justification of disease focus and intervention
- Potential to influence policy and deliver impact
2. Team Expertise (25%)
- Experience in clinical trial design and execution
- Strength of collaboration and leadership
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
3. Stakeholder Engagement (25%)
- Inclusion of communities, policymakers, and public health actors
- Plans for dissemination and real-world application
- Evidence of equitable partnerships
Costs Covered
- Staff salaries
- Equipment and materials
- Clinical trial and fieldwork costs
- Travel and subsistence
- Public engagement activities
- Data management and open access publishing
How to Apply:
Fill in the application using link below:
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For more information
Visit WELLCOME official website in the link below:
Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award: Optimising interventions for impact – Funding | Wellcome
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