GSK plc (an acronym from its former name GlaxoSmithKline plc) is a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with global headquarters in London. Established in 2000 by a merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, GSK is the tenth largest pharmaceutical company and #294 on the 2022 Fortune Global 500, ranked behind other pharmaceutical companies China Resources, Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Roche, AbbVie, Novartis, Bayer, and Merck Sharp & Dohme.
The company developed the first malaria vaccine, RTS, S, which it said in 2014, it would make available for five percent above cost. Legacy products developed at GSK include several listed in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, such as amoxicillin, mercaptopurine, pyrimethamine, and zidovudine.
Infectious diseases (IDs) such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and enteric diseases are among the leading causes of death globally, killing almost 9 million people each year. These diseases, which are often preventable and treatable, disproportionately affect sub-Sahara African (SSA) populations, and when left untreated, result in poor health outcomes and morbidity, higher mortality in coinfections with other infectious diseases, stigma-related mental disorders, and exacerbated social and health inequalities. Research is critical for the development and implementation of effective measures to meet the global health challenges of eliminating IDs.
Having previously funded 20 projects through the Africa NCD Open Lab until our last call for proposals in 2022, they are now calling for research proposals focussed on funding high-quality infectious disease research that has the potential to deliver significant health impact and develop future research leaders, with up to £100,000 available per award. Along with the award they offer mentoring, and scientific and technical support while researchers conduct their innovative research projects.
Benefits
- Up to £100,000 is available per award to cover a project for up to 36 months.
- The award will offer funding to cover the costs of an appropriate research project including costs for equipment, fieldwork and data collection, consumables, and research assistance.
- There will be opportunities to undertake training activities relevant to achieving the aims of the project or research career development, including short courses and training visits to relevant research institutions, to be agreed upon in consultation with GSK.
- In addition to financial support, GSK will provide scientific support throughout the duration of the award term. The level of interaction will be determined through the application process and will be tailored to the individual needs of the project. GSK will explore links with scientists from academic and research groups in Africa and globally to provide mentorship to successful applicants.
- Funding is not provided for degree/fellowship tuition fees.
Eligibilities
The applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
- The principal investigator must be an African scientist in the early stages of their research and academic career, defined as a basic biomedical scientist, clinically qualified investigator, or public health researcher, who has not previously competed successfully as principal investigator for a major research grant (>£100,000), and who is no more than five years from their highest postgraduate qualification (career breaks and time out of academic research will be taken into consideration).
- The minimum formal qualification required is a graduate degree. Most applicants will be expected to have an MSc, PhD, or MD. Applicants can hold a lecturer appointment, a junior fellowship, or be in another research staff position.
- Must demonstrate a track record and ongoing commitment to health-related research and the skills and experience required to carry out the proposed work. Evidence of research output, including publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference publications, presentations at scientific conferences, and input into clinical guidelines or policy documents is required.
- Employed by a research or academic institution in SSA. Additionally, applications are strongly encouraged from historically underrepresented population groups and institutions.
- A national of a sub-Saharan African country and based in an institution in SSA.
Eligible Regions: Sub-Saharan African countries.