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NIHR is launching funding as part of its refreshed global health research programme. The funding aims to provide opportunities to develop, support and strengthen research leadership and capacity, helping prevent, detect and respond to global health security threats and challenges.
Two schemes are now open for applications:
• Global Health Research Professorships
• Global Advanced Fellowships
Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), these schemes will strengthen capacity for applied health research leadership in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of NIHR, says: “Investing in global health research leadership turns new ideas into better health. It strengthens research systems to respond to global health security threats and challenges, inform policy, and deliver lasting health impact.
Through our support for Global Health Research Professors and Advanced Fellowships, we are improving diagnosis, treatment and care for vulnerable communities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia - especially women, babies, children and adolescents.”
Research led by Professor Nuala McGrath, supported through an NIHR Global Health Research Professorship award, is increasing uptake of HIV testing among couples in sub-Saharan Africa through practical, scalable interventions. Her work shows that structured support can significantly improve testing rates, enabling earlier diagnosis, reducing transmission risk, and linking couples to wider health screening.
People are now looking at using this approach more widely. It shows how NIHR global career development awards help research leaders put evidence into practice, improving health and strengthening health systems.
The Global Health Research Professorships offer up to £2million over 5 years. They support senior researchers to lead major global health studies and strengthen their leadership skills as well as the capacity of their institution and wider team.
The Global Advanced Fellowships support postdoctoral researchers to become independent research leaders. They offer up to £750,000 over 2-5 years, training and mentoring, plus access to the NIHR Academy and international networks.
Both schemes are open to researchers based in the UK and across ODA countries, in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
This funding is part of NIHR’s updated global health approach and aligns with DHSC priorities.
From 2026, NIHR will focus on major global health security threats and challenges, including:
• Diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases of pandemic potential
• Pandemic preparedness
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• Infectious diseases of poverty
• Breaking the cycle between malnutrition and infection
There is also a focus on vulnerable groups. Applications that address maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health are of particular interest for this funding.
The proposed programmes of research should be multidisciplinary, including elements such as health system research, implementation science, social science and health economics. The aim is real-world impact and lasting research capacity.
The new finding opportunities launch today. Researchers can apply for the Global Health Research Professorships and Global Advanced Fellowships via the NIHR website.
Professor Kara Hanson, director of the NIHR Global Health Research Programme, said: “High quality research is needed now more than ever to help tackle global health challenges. By combining capacity strengthening support with research funding we can help build sustainable research leadership and improve health worldwide.”
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