1st funding call: Accelerating clinical trial site readiness in LMICS

GloPID-R, the global alliance of research funders for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, has launched a new call to support the strengthening of clinical trial site readiness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This initiative aims to accelerate outbreak response capacity, in line with the WHO Global Action Plan for Strengthening the Clinical Trials Ecosystem.

Background

The clinical trial response to the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented, marked by rapid vaccine development and early therapeutic discoveries. However, the pandemic also exposed significant gaps in the global clinical research ecosystem—particularly LMICs—highlighting disparities in regional capacities to mount effective emergency responses.

The clinical trial ecosystem comprises the interconnected network of stakeholders, infrastructure, and frameworks essential for conducting high-quality research at national and international levels. In 2022, the adoption of the World Health Assembly Resolution 75.8 marked a significant global commitment toward strengthening this ecosystem.

To support implementation of this resolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now developed the Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS), which outlines nine key action areas for building more robust and resilient clinical trial systems worldwide.

General Information

• Call budget: up to EUR 2 million

• Grant size: between EUR 100,000–500,000

• Funding rate: up to 100% of eligible costs

• Maximum project duration: 24 months

• Eligibility: ongoing clinical trials (Phase I–III) funded by a GloPID-R member, focused on emerging or re-emerging diseases with epidemic potential; with a focus on LMICs (further eligibility details below)

• Call opening: 4 September 2025

• Call deadline: 14 November 2025

• Call identifier: GRIPP2025

• GRIPP Call 1 is being conducted in coordination with the EDCTP Association.

Objective

GloPID-R members will fund projects that strengthen clinical trial sites in low- and middle-income countries, supporting the implementation of three of the actions set out in the WHO Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS): Action 4 (Innovation), Action 6 (Ethics & Regulation), and Action 9 (Collaboration).

For more information, please visit the official GloPID-R page for this call: Accelerating clinical trial site readiness in LMICS