LIVE BLOG: R&D response to COVID-19 pandemic (Archived)

The Alliance for a Healthier World (AHW) is searching for proposals that increase understanding and help mitigate the health equity and social justice dimensions of the pandemic. It is already abundantly clear the coronavirus crisis has amplified the health gap between marginalised groups, such as low-income families, minorities, immigrants, the disabled, the recently unemployed, and more affluent members of society. The aim is to study the extent of the gap and how marginalised people can be helped to face the economic and social impacts of the crisis. The AHW is offering five grants of up to $25,000 each. Application deadline: 5 April.

The Rio de Janeiro state research funding agency (FAPERJ: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) has announced an emergency fund for research by universities and startup companies to combat COVID-19. The aim is to build upon the networks and research collaborations developed in response to the Zika virus, which resulted in more than 1,600 babies being born in Brazil with microencephaly, or abnormally small heads. The fund is split into three calls. The first, for proposals from researchers  specialising in emerging and reemerging viruses, has a budget of R$6.2 million (€1 million). The second R$9 million (€1.5 million) call is for work on diagnostics, epidemiology, clinical studies and the use of artificial intelligence technologies. The third R$ 9.8 million (€1.7 million) call is in epidemic control and infection, molecular diagnostics and clinical studies. Application deadline: 14 April.

The Carlsberg Foundation, the charitable arm of the brewing company, is backing three coronavirus research projects. The first, a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the Serum Institute, is receiving DKK25 million (€3.3 million) to develop a vaccine against Covid-19 in a short time, based on a promising but previously untested vaccine concept. The consortium will also start work on a diagnostic test and new peptide therapies. In the second project, which was awarded DKK25 million, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the Danish Technical University will carry out behavioural research to investigate how society acts during crises, as well as how democracies deal with an epidemic such as the one we are currently facing. The third project at Roskilde University, will develop better mathematical models to explain how and why outbreaks of new viruses sometimes develop into global pandemics. The models will also be used to predict how pandemics start, disappear, or eventually merge into the larger pool of recurring seasonal viruses. The project was awarded DKK10 million.

Swiss startup, Stimit has been awarded €140,000 to advance development of a non-invasive device designed to activate breathing muscles in the diaphragm of patients in intensive care who are receiving mechanical ventilation. The aim is to reduce the amount of time patients - such as those with serious COVID-19 infections - spend on ventilators, minimising the damage mechanical ventilation can cause to the lungs. The company has developed a prototype and is now preparing to test the device in patients. The award comes from Venture Kick, a consultancy and business mentoring service that promotes the spinoff of companies from Swiss universities.

The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society, which provides seed funding for the commercialization of IT research across the University of California’s campuses, is awarding $50,000 each for IT projects that aim to address the COVID-19 threat. Application deadline: 10 September.

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research is launching a €1.5 million call for real-time data collection reflecting the situation on the ground, to improve the relevance of coronavirus research. A further €10 million will available for COVID-19 research projects to be specified in collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development. A detailed announcement on this new funding opportunity will be published at the a later date.

A national COVID-19 task force has been created by Switzerland’s Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and the Office of Public Health, to coordinate the country’s scientific response to the coronavirus crisis. The task force will provide policy advice and identify research and innovation funding needed to combat COVID-19.

Scotland’s chief scientist is calling on Scottish universities to apply for funding for a portfolio of Covid-19 research drawn from the best ideas from research investigators in their institutions that will inform clinical practice and policy in dealing with COVID-19. Studies can start immediately on award of funding and must be completed within 3 – 6 months. Grants of up to £1.25 million are available. Application deadline: April 8.

Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission has launched a programme supporting applied research in areas including disease surveillance and epidemiology, and in the rapid development and commercialization of products and services that will help the country control COVID-19. On the product side, the commission is interested in promoting domestic manufacturing of low cost equipment and materials, including diagnostics, ventilators and personal protective equipment. Universities, technologists and researchers are invited to submit proposals. Projects will last for six months or one year, with maximum funding of €82,500. Application deadline: April 3.

Argentina’s National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion has announced a USD$5 million fund for COVID-19 research. Up to $100,000 is available for each project. Application deadline: 10 April.