Today, we celebrate our first cohort of awardees for the GCRF Networking Grants scheme and announce the launch of the next round.
As we launch the third round of the scheme, our inaugural awardees’ projects are underway. With projects spanning disciplines, countries and even continents, their collaborations will create real-world impact against some of the most challenging global issues we face in modern society.
The creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 demonstrated a global commitment to end poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change; a vision where nobody is left behind. Achieving this will require real and relevant global action.
The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) was launched in 2016 to combine this SDG vision with research, and we are proud to offer the opportunity for researchers in DAC-listed countries to lead on the development of these important projects. These researchers provide a far deeper understanding of the narrative around these challenges and we are proud to support future key influencers in their countries.
Learning for the UK
It is time to challenge the belief that collaborations between the global south and global north solely benefit the less developed country. In an aging population where our health services are under increased pressure, it is vital to acknowledge the lessons that can be learnt from good healthcare in low-resource settings.
Dr Mettananda holds a Clinical Academic post at the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and is researching gene-based therapies for thalassaemia; a very common genetic disorder with a carrier rate of 2.5% - 3%.
“Whilst monthly blood transfusions can extend lifespan, those affected die prematurely and have a lower quality of life. It is therefore crucial to find a cure for this disease to minimize suffering among patients”
Dr Mettananda and Professor Higgs (University of Oxford) will be working closely with core partners in Thailand and Sri Lanka from the clinical and biomedical sciences to hold three networking activities over the next year.
“This scheme offered us a unique opportunity to incorporate in vitro laboratory studies with clinical studies, bringing together haematologists, physicians, paediatricians, clinical pharmacologists and molecular scientists. We hope to collect preliminary data allowing us to seek larger funding for our network, working towards a genetic based therapy for beta-thalassaemia.”
Stepping out of your comfort zone
Creating on-the-ground impact must be at the heart of GCRF research, and requires input from a range of stakeholders who should recognise the need to step outside of your area of expertise.
One such interdisciplinary network has been funded through the first round of the scheme, geared towards addressing the complex issue of socio-economic and environmental inequities caused by mineral sector development in Uganda and Ghana. Recognised in Ghanaian and Ugandan National Development Plans, these inequities have far reaching effects on health and social welfare. The network brings together expertise spanning physical geography, sociology, history and anthropology to develop methodological innovation for research on the societal, economic and political impacts of this rapidly expanding sector.
Dr Eleanor Fisher at the University of Reading will be working with Dr Ronald Twongyirwe at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Dr Ntewusu Samuel at the University of Ghana and Dr Sabine Luning at Leiden University, alongside a wider network of colleagues:
“Both Ghana and Uganda have rapidly developing mineral sectors and issues of social equity are foremost. They are both fascinating countries for research on this topic area. However researchers in West and East Africa all-too-often work in silos, so it was vital that the collaborators wanted to extend their own horizons and were open to having their assumptions changed.”
Whilst the sharing of expertise and enthusiasm are key, trust and confidence play a pivotal role in the success of a collaborative network. Moreover, Dr Fisher and Dr Twongyirwe explained that in order for the network to thrive in the future, the work needs to translate into benefits for students and researchers in Africa.
“We will bring together researchers from different countries as a “launchpad” for collaboration, with researchers in African institutions taking a leading role. The inclusion of early-career researchers and students is vital, and we hope that the mentoring opportunities and exposure to the Network will translate into real benefit for their careers”.
Reaching out across the world
Clear communication to all audiences underpins impact in research. With 40 networks funded across 18 countries, the first cohort of awardees has fully embraced the challenge of sharing their research with the wider world. We wanted to highlight some of the early-stage events promoted on social media:
We would like to congratulate all of our awardees from the first round of the scheme, and we are delighted to announce that round 3 of the GCRF Networking Grants is now open for applications.
To find out more about the scheme, including eligibility and how to apply, visit our grants pages or contact the team at gcrfnetworking@acmedsci.ac.uk
This Programme is part of the Resilient Futures Initiative, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund and delivered by the UK National Academies working together.