The University of Liverpool has been awarded £1.3m funding to support the UK Government’s Fleming Fund Fellowship Programme.
The funding will support mentorship and a programme of tailored professional development for practitioners and influencers who are engaged in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in Fleming Fund partner countries.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)’s Fleming Fund is a UK aid programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a leading contributor to deaths from infectious diseases worldwide. The Fleming Fund invests in strengthening AMR surveillance systems through a portfolio of country grants, regional grants and fellowships managed by Mott MacDonald, and global projects managed by DHSC
The University will now be a host institution for Fellows from Nigeria and Sierra Leone, two countries disproportionately affected by antimicrobial resistance. Up to 20 talented fellows will be selected from these countries over the next two years and will work to address the problems caused by AMR in their countries.
Led by Professor Alison Holmes, David Price Evans Chair in Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the Fund will be managed in Liverpool by infectious diseases experts Dr Steve Aston, Dr Kat Stott, and Dr Derek Cocker. Professor Holmes also spearheads the Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network (CAMO-Net), a global collaboration working to address antimicrobial resistance in humans. CAMO-Net is comprised predominantly of partner countries who are involved in the Fleming Fund Fellowship Scheme, and this award for the University will further strengthen ties across this network.
Professor Alison Holmes said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this incredible scheme. It is something I championed while I was engaged in the Fleming Technical Board, and complements our portfolio of work with CAMO-net. It is a hugely worthwhile scheme, providing access to expertise and mentorship to competitively selected fellows in our partner countries. These fellows will play a crucial role in discovering solutions to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance within their respective communities.”
The award recognises the universities’ growing reputation for leadership in antimicrobial resistance, and builds upon its expertise in infectious diseases research around the world. The Liverpool Fleming Fund Programme will focus on four areas; production of quality AMR/U/C and burden data, quality analyses of data, sharing analyses and data with decision-makers, and promoting sustainable investment to counter AMR.
Dr Steve Aston, Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases, said: “I am thrilled to be part of this exciting initiative. This program offers invaluable mentorship and expertise to talented fellows, empowering them to address the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance within their communities. It is a significant step towards finding sustainable solutions to address AMR worldwide.”