Wellcome Trust’s Post

We’ve joined 17 other UK organisations as initial signatories of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice - and launched a new funding policy in the process. Co-developed across the research and innovation sector, the concordat represents a shared ambition for the UK to deliver research in a more environmentally responsible way. Scientific research is at the forefront of finding solutions to the climate crisis and its impacts on our health. Yet all types of research – from lab to computational to field – have an impact on our planet. That’s why our new funding policy asks researchers we fund to consider the environmental impact of their work and make responsible choices - from using sustainable methods to reducing energy consumption. This change supports Wellcome’s ongoing efforts to become a more sustainable funder and is our first step towards creating a greener future for UK research. Learn more about the concordat and sign up ⤵️ https://wellc.me/3UwFh9r #ESConcordat

These five examples from around the world show how climate mitigation actions can protect and improve health. From providing accessible healthcare to protect forests in Indonesia, to promoting cycling to reduce transport emissions in New Zealand – find out how climate mitigation presents a huge health opportunity ⤵️ https://wellc.me/3WdsZEh

The impact of vaccines is unquestionable. From reducing infant mortality to controlling the spread of Covid-19, vaccines save millions of lives every year. So, why are infectious diseases still a leading cause of death worldwide? The problem is, there are a lot of infectious diseases that we don’t have vaccines for yet. Vaccine development is: 💉 complex 💉 expensive 💉 and has a high risk of failure. It can take 10 to 15 years for a vaccine to go from the lab to getting approved. Even if vaccines make it through development and licensing, they only work when they are given to the people who need them. And, as the data shows, there’s a long way to go to address vaccine access issues. Urgent action is needed to create a more equitable, effective and sustainable research and development ecosystem. Find out more ⤵️ #WorldImmunisationWeek #WIW2024 https://wellc.me/3oH9sO8

Antipsychotic drugs can have severe side effects — could the immune system hold the key to changing that? Dr Katharina Schmack at The Francis Crick Institute and UCL wants to find out. Learn more about her study: https://lnkd.in/ecuX-9wh

We're funding teams to improve understanding of dengue and Zika spread, immunity and clinical outcomes, and to help implement effective interventions. 💡 Duration: three to five years 💰 Level: up to £5 million 🗓 Application deadline: 25 June 2024 Find out more about the funding and how to apply: https://wellc.me/3VEASlW

'Cities are heating up twice as fast as the rest of our globe’. Amid rising temperatures, some communities are using nature to cool and future-proof our cities, turning grey infrastructure green. This is #OurPlanetEarth, a BBC Studios Natural History Unit co-production with Wellcome. https://lnkd.in/ezs_UB6b

Minoritised communities are underrepresented in UK research – particularly those of Black, Bangladeshi or Pakistani heritage.    Wellcome analysis of HESA 2021/22 and 2021 Census of England and Wales data shows that: ➡️ Black or Black British researchers in the UK made up 2.9% of the UK academic research population in 2021/22. By comparison, Black and Black British people made up 4.4% of the working-age population of England and Wales in 2021. ➡️ Researchers of Bangladeshi heritage in the UK made up 0.5% of the UK academic research population in 2021/22. By comparison, people of Bangladeshi heritage made up 1.1% of the working-age population of England and Wales in 2021. ➡️ Researchers of Pakistani heritage in the UK made up 1.1% of the UK academic research population in 2021/22. By comparison, people of Pakistani heritage made up 2.7% of the working-age population of England and Wales in 2021. If we’re to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone, we need the creativity and expertise of people from all backgrounds. That's why we've launched our new Accelerator Awards. The funding will support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to advance their careers to the next stage. Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gNphRhD4

In the fight against infectious diseases, the voices of those most affected are a powerful tool. That’s why organisations like the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) are so important. Based in South Africa, AHRI aims to combat diseases like tuberculosis (TB) – a leading cause of death in the country – by working within local communities. This provides a deeper understanding of the social, economic and cultural factors that contribute to the spread and impact of diseases, leading to context-specific strategies more likely to have a lasting impact. Moreover, it fosters inclusive and equitable research. Working with a Community Advisory Board, AHRI engages communities to understand their needs, build trust and empower local people. The result is more appropriate, accessible and effective interventions for those who need them. This is essential to Wellcome's mission of creating a more equitable and sustainable ecosystem of research and development. By collaborating with organisations like AHRI, we can shift the focus of research towards affected communities, ultimately leading to more effective solutions led by long-term, local needs. 🎥  Learn more from experts at AHRI about why this context is vital for research.

Dengue and Zika are mosquito-borne viruses that are known to co-circulate and spread in human populations due to a number of factors, including social demography, climate change and land use. They are also cross-reactive, meaning an infection with one virus can affect a person’s immune response to the other. But there is limited data on the co-circulation and cross-reactivity of these diseases, especially in Asia and Africa. This lack of data prevents scientists from designing and implementing effective interventions that can help control and prevent the current and future spread of the two viruses. We want to help change that. That’s why we’re offering up to £5 million each to teams to research dengue and Zika spread, immunity and clinical outcomes. Find out more about the funding call, check if you’re eligible and how to apply ⤵️ https://wellc.me/3VEASlW

Our new Mental Health Award is open! We’re funding projects that combine computational and experimental neuroscience approaches to better understand the symptoms of anxiety, depression and psychosis. Level of funding: Up to £5 million Duration: 3-5 years Deadline: 23 July 2024 Find out if you’re eligible and apply ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gCjnxkmg