GloPID-R Launches First Coordinated Funding Call to Boost Clinical Trial Readiness in LMICs

GloPID-R is pleased to announce the first Global Research Improving Pandemic Preparedness (GRIPP) call for proposals: “Outbreak ready: Accelerating clinical trial site readiness in LMICs.” 

The opening of GRIPP Call 1 on 4 September 2025 marks a significant milestone in advancing the GloPID-R group of international research funders agreed aim to establish a coordinated research funding mechanism to strengthen global pandemic preparedness, which was launched in December 2024. 

The Call 1 theme—strengthening the clinical research ecosystem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve good clinical practices—was chosen by the GloPID-R members in recognition of their pivotal role in building coordinated, equitable clinical trial capacity worldwide

The call seeks to directly advance the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS) which delivers the commitments outlined by the World Health Assembly Resolution 75.8 and operationalizing the goals and principles of the GloPID-R Funders Living Roadmap for Clinical Trial Coordination. 

As such we are inviting proposals that enhance clinical trial sites in line with the following GAP-CTS action areas: 

• Action 4: Enabling effective trials through adoption of innovative designs and digital technologies 

• Action 6: Improving coordination and streamline regulatory and ethics review 

• Action 9: Expanding international health research and clinical trial collaboration 

GloPID-R Executive Board Chair Mongezi Mdhluli said, “GloPID-R is proud to announce the launch of Call 1 of its coordinated funding mechanism. The GRIPP initiative is a timely and essential step towards strengthening clinical trial capacity where it is most needed. By building on existing investments, this first call will help ensure that LMICs are not only included in, but positioned to lead, high-quality clinical research responses in future health emergencies.” 

Proposals funded through this call will leverage and extend existing GloPID-R member investments in clinical trial research in relevant topics in LMICs. The call underscores a shared commitment among international funders in countries around the world, through shared membership of the GloPID-R network, to work together to strengthen the enabling environment for clinical research, at the heart of pandemic preparedness efforts. 

GRIPP Funding Calls are built on a set of Common Principles that direct funders in how they support research within the GRIPP programme. Applicants should refer to these principles to ensure the successful development of their proposals. 

Professor Kara Hanson, Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Programme (United Kingdom) said, “The launch of the first GRIPP coordinated funding call marks an important step in strengthening global pandemic preparedness. By supporting clinical trial sites in LMICs to build capacity and adopt best practices, we are helping to ensure that vital research can be mobilised quickly and equitably in response to future outbreaks. NIHR is proud to be a partner in this collective effort”

ABOUT THE GRIPP CALL 1 

To be eligible to apply, proposals must be submitted by:  

– A coordinating organization which is currently funded by a GloPID-R-member to conduct a clinical trial (Phase I-III) focused on (re-)-emerging diseases of epidemic potential in a consortium of up to four organizations of which at least one is based in an LMIC.

The call is open from 4th September, 2025 and closes on November 14th, 2025. Further details about Call 1, including full eligibility criteria and application guidance (including ‘Common Principles), are available on the GloPID-R website. 

• Outbreak ready: Accelerating clinical trial site readiness in LMICs
• Common Principles