This one-off call provides funding for software developers from any career stage and discipline to develop digital tools that will improve climate-sensitive infectious disease modelling. By the end of the award, successful applicants will have delivered a piece of open-source digital technology that will increase the impact of research in addressing this threat to health.
Key information
- Your host organisation can be based anywhere in the world (apart from mainland China)
- Level of funding is up to £500,000 for research expenses, including salaries
- Duration of funding is up to 5 years. Wellcome expects development of the tool to take place in the early part of the award. Later years will be used for maintenance of the software.
You can apply as an individual or as a team.
You or your team must have:
- a background or experience of working in any field of science and health relevant to infectious diseases and/or the impacts of climate change on human healthand
- an idea for a novel piece of digital technology to improve modelling at the intersection of these two fields
You do not need to be from an information technology (IT) background to apply. Where the term ‘software developer’ is used, this includes any individual who has experience of creating software-based tools and technologies.
Career stage and experience
At the point you submit your application, you must have:
- evidence of research training, and
- experience in open-source software development.
If you are applying as part of a team, you must demonstrate that both of these attributes are represented in your group.
You can apply at any career stage. The lead applicant must be able to dedicate at least 10% of their time annually to the project.
You can apply if you’ve spent time away from formal employment (for example a career break, maternity leave, or long-term sick leave). We’ll take this into consideration when we review your application.
Your experience and that of your co-applicants and named contributors will be assessed in the context of the proposed work.
You should be able to demonstrate:
- a good understanding of research methodology and the role of software tools in it
- evidence of software development project delivery
- knowledge and experience in managing an open-source project and associated community of practice.
Wellcome Trust will review the strategic alignment with its ambitions in climate and health and infectious diseases. You must engage with each of the following key points from the strategies when writing your application:
- These health challenges are global, but they do not pose an equal threat to everyone. The communities most affected by these challenges must be involved in building any potential solutions.
- Infectious disease: You should focus on ‘escalating threats’ such as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, drug-resistant infections and future epidemics. Escalating has different connotations in different settings. We will look for evidence of engagement with this idea, for example through the creation of a multi-hazard relevant technology, a deep understanding of a local context, or any other relevant approach.
- Climate and health: You should focus on the urgency of the challenge posed by climate change and our call for immediate action. Proposals that clearly describe or include case studies that illustrate a short path to improved, climate-relevant research and better-informed actions because of the proposed technology will be prioritised.
For more information, see the funding call URL.
Deadline application: 31 March 2022, 17:00 (BST)