UK Government and UKRI invest £54m to prevent future disease outbreaks

The UK Government and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have announced a £54 million investment in biosecurity research to help prevent future disease outbreaks, tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and develop next-generation vaccines.

The funding will support 18 research and innovation projects aimed at strengthening the UK’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to emerging biological threats affecting human, animal and plant health.

Researchers will collaborate with international partners on challenges ranging from improving preparedness for future disease outbreaks to developing mRNA vaccines for livestock and tackling the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Why biosecurity threats are becoming a growing concern

The scale of these threats is already clear. Around one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide were resistant to antibiotics in 2023, while ash dieback alone is estimated to cost Britain around £15 billion.

Invasive mosquitoes also pose a growing threat, with mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, Zika and chikungunya costing at least $94.7 billion globally between 1975 and 2020.

UK invests £54m in biosecurity research and epidemic preparedness

A coalition of UK government partners is investing more than £54 million through 18 new research and innovation projects.

This public investment is coordinated through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with co-funding from partners, including:

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

These programmes aim to strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats affecting people and their livelihoods, wildlife and ecosystems.

Working with international partners to tackle complex challenges

Researchers will work with international partners, taking an approach that recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health and draws on multiple disciplines to tackle complex challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Together, the programmes will help:

• Build resilience against emerging biosecurity threats
• Strengthen prevention and response capabilities
• Enhance food security
• Support sustainable economic growth

Investment aimed at delivering on government priorities

UKRI Executive Champion for Tackling Infections and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Executive Chair, Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, said: “This investment reflects UKRI’s central role in delivering government priorities and our long-standing commitment to convening and working with partners across government to fund vital One Health research into human, animal and plant health.

“By pooling expertise from across the research and innovation ecosystem in the UK and globally, we can tackle related infectious disease challenges in a more coordinated way to get ahead of emerging biological threats and help protect people, animals, plants and the environment, both in the UK and internationally.

“Ultimately, it will advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth.”

What the new biosecurity funding will deliver

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “Investing in cutting-edge research across animal, plant and human health is vital to strengthening our national biosecurity, ensuring we are prepared for future disease threats and able to respond rapidly when they emerge.

“These projects, supported by funding from Defra, will drive innovation in next-generation veterinary vaccines, strengthen epidemic preparedness and help tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.”

FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Sir John Edmunds, said: “FCDO is pleased to co-fund these innovative research projects.

“They will make a real difference to understanding and managing emerging diseases and reducing their impact for vulnerable people and their livelihoods, including in humanitarian responses.”

Why taking an international One Health approach can deliver better health outcomes

Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Professor Lucy Chappell, said: “In our interconnected world, we must recognise that the health of humans, animals and the wider environment are inherently linked and interdependent.

“Similarly, diseases don’t respect borders and countries must work together to address our greatest health threats.

“DHSC is pleased to co-fund these important research projects.

“By taking a One Health approach and bringing together experts from the UK and around the world, we can identify threats earlier, strengthen resilience and deliver better health outcomes for the public.”

How the funding will help prevent future biological threats and improve response capabilities

The funding will generate new knowledge, tools and technologies that improve the UK’s and international capacity to prevent and respond to future biological threats.

The research is expected to support:

• earlier detection of emerging risks
• better evidence for policy and decision-making
• new approaches to reducing AMR
• faster, more adaptable vaccine and other innovative technologies

The projects will bring together expertise from biology, public health, social science, artificial intelligence, environmental research and veterinary science to:

• strengthen the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem
• build transdisciplinary capabilities
• foster partnerships between academia, government, industry and international collaborators

By investing in capabilities critical to national resilience, the programme will help safeguard health, strengthen food and nutrition security and protect the natural systems on which people and economies depend.