The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced a new funding opportunity aimed at enhancing global pandemic preparedness through platform clinical trials. With the goal of strengthening the world’s response capabilities to future pandemics and major epidemics, this initiative is seeking proposals for three platform trials targeting interventions in both hospital and community settings.
Public health professionals, clinical researchers, and institutions involved in global health security are encouraged to apply and take part in shaping the next generation of responsive, scalable research infrastructure.
About the Funding Opportunity
As part of NIHR’s broader pandemic preparedness strategy, this funding opportunity is supported by two of its flagship programmes:
The focus is on platform clinical trials—adaptive trial designs that can evaluate multiple interventions over time—which are particularly well-suited for rapidly evolving public health emergencies.
Both existing and new platform trial proposals are eligible, provided they meet the remit of the EME and HTA programmes. The trials must measure the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions for serious infections, either as a primary research goal or as a baseline to pivot quickly during a future pandemic.
The deadline to submit an outline application for this funding opportunity is 3 September 2025 at 1:00 PM (BST). Interested applicants are also encouraged to attend an informational webinar on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM (BST), which will provide further details on eligibility, the application process, and the scope of the opportunity.
READ MORE:
Pandemic preparedness – platform clinical trials in hospital and community settings. National Institute for Health and Care Research, 30 April 2025.