Global Grand Challenge Call for Applications: Pathogen Genomic Surveillance and Immunology in Asia
The Global Grand Challenge is calling for applications to the Pathogen Genomic Surveillance and Immunology in Asia grant.
Pathogen Genomic Surveillance (PGS) can provide information about pathogen evolution and insight into the genetic basis of changes in virulence or resistance to interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 was established by many countries, including countries in Asia. It may be possible to leverage this capacity for genomic surveillance of priority endemic or epidemic pathogens.
Project goals:
- Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI): Design and pilot a genomic surveillance program for a priority pathogen (other than SARS-CoV-2)
- Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response (GIISER) – Asia: Develop capacity for immune characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants to inform Epidemic Response
Across both goals, training of local scientists by collaborators willing and able to share knowledge and tools will create the necessary capabilities.
Objectives:
Asia PGI
- To establish routine pathogen genomic surveillance to understand the epidemiology and transmission of a priority pathogen (other than SARS-CoV-2)
- To use pathogen genomics in the public health response – including field epidemiology response – to investigate potential evolution of a priority pathogen and its impact on the epidemiology of disease
- To use pathogen genomics to monitor the impact of vaccine introduction on the transmission dynamics or AMR characteristics of pathogen lineages causing disease.
- To use pathogen genomics to inform the development of diagnostics and/or therapeutics.
GIISER-Asia
- Identify SARS-CoV-2 pathogen variants and appropriate subjects
- Sample Collection and Virus Isolation
- Assessment of natural-infection-induced and vaccine-induced polyclonal antibody immunity to novel variants
- Local monoclonal antibody discovery
- Local monoclonal antibody screening
- Develop capacity for immunological evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (and potentially other additional pathogens of global health importance) through project immersion and targeted training with partners
- Sustain and further develop expertise in virology, immunology, and communication with policy makers.
Requirements:
Asia PGI
- A successful Asia PGI site will formalize a framework to identify a priority pathogen or syndrome for genomic surveillance, build on the experience of sourcing samples for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and on the genomic sequencing skills gained during the pandemic, and access the expertise of epidemiologists and clinicians with insight into the epidemiology of the chosen pathogen or syndrome.
- Priority funding for public labs or institutes that provide surveillance data to the government to inform public health interventions.
- Proposals should mention other available funding for the proposed work.
- Pathogens that are not covered by other funding mechanisms including large international programs will be prioritized.
- We also encourage applicants to describe the impact of ongoing, related work at the organization/site.
GIISER-Asia
- A successful GIISER site will have access to existing pathogen sequencing capacity and bioinformatics, access to existing cohorts or clinical infrastructure, access to existing BLS3 labs and trained virologists and immunologists with some expertise in protein reagent generation.
- Not every site will have everything in place, but enthusiastic, creative and collaborative groups who want to get things done are encouraged to include specific requests for the support they need to get there (training, connections, technology, etc.)
Funding details:
- Up to 300,000 USD per year for each project, with a grant term of up to 2 years depending on the scope of the project
- An additional 300,000 USD may be added to the second year budget.
Read more here
Application deadline December 16, 2022.
