Insights into funding rapid research

When COVID-19 struck, we successfully launched a rapid research funding call, which has resulted in study findings being used in real-time to respond to the on-going health crisis across multiple humanitarian settings.

This unique funding mechanism is highlighted as one of a series of case studies published by the COVID-19 Research and Coordination Initiative (COVID Circle) to highlight innovative approaches to funding research to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accompanying COVID Circle report Funding and Conducting Research in the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic outlines a series of recommendations, including the need to “provide agile mechanisms for dedicated funding or direct funding to low-and middle-income countries to match their research needs for epidemics and pandemics”. The 15 studies we funded through our responsive research mechanism have contributed to narrow these gaps.

In our blog, The Need for Speed: Insights into Funding Rapid Research, we outline key enablers to funding rapid research, as well as barriers and questions raised for funders.

We invite your comments and reflections as we consider how our funding mechanism can be further improved.

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Photo: A man sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 in the streets of the Al Shatti refugee camp in Gaza. Credit: Mohammed Zaanoun, @m.z.gaza.