Funding infectious disease research: a systematic analysis of UK research investments by funders 1997–2010
Funding infectious disease research: a systematic analysis of UK research investments by funders 1997–2010
Background
Research investments are essential to address the burden of disease, however allocation of limited resources is poorly documented. We systematically reviewed the investments awarded by funding organisations to UK institutions and their global partners for infectious disease research.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Public and philanthropic investments for the period 1997 to 2010 were included. We categorised studies by infectious disease, cross-cutting theme, and by research and development value chain, reflecting the type of science. We identified 6165 funded studies, with a total research investment of UK £2.6 billion. Public organisations provided £1.4 billion (54.0%) of investments compared with £1.1 billion (42.4%) by philanthropic organisations. Global health studies represented an investment of £928 million (35.7%). The Wellcome Trust was the leading investor with £688 million (26.5%), closely followed by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) with £673 million (25.9%). Funding over time was volatile, ranging from ?£40 million to ?£160 million per year for philanthropic organisations and ?£30 million to ?£230 million for public funders.
Conclusions/Significance
Infectious disease research funding requires global coordination and strategic long-term vision. Our analysis demonstrates the diversity and inconsistent patterns in investment, with volatility in annual funding amounts and limited investment for product development and clinical trials.
1-13
Derrick, Gemma Elizabeth
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Fitchett, Joseph R.
1eae456d-373c-428b-a276-353f0a75822e
Head, Michael
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c
Cooke, Mary K.
6e457199-aad2-4b44-b8c3-f042babcbe05
Wurie, Fatima B.
96223c39-3a27-4a0f-9b4f-328ab85c98e8
Atun, Rifat
20f14d3b-facf-4079-8566-eb6d13521a34
27 August 2014
Derrick, Gemma Elizabeth
39d7c8c3-f952-4705-af4b-902a27a42a3b
Fitchett, Joseph R.
1eae456d-373c-428b-a276-353f0a75822e
Head, Michael
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c
Cooke, Mary K.
6e457199-aad2-4b44-b8c3-f042babcbe05
Wurie, Fatima B.
96223c39-3a27-4a0f-9b4f-328ab85c98e8
Atun, Rifat
20f14d3b-facf-4079-8566-eb6d13521a34
Derrick, Gemma Elizabeth, Fitchett, Joseph R., Head, Michael, Cooke, Mary K., Wurie, Fatima B. and Atun, Rifat
(2014)
Funding infectious disease research: a systematic analysis of UK research investments by funders 1997–2010.
PLoS ONE, 9 (8), .
(doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105722).
(PMID:25162631)
Abstract
Background
Research investments are essential to address the burden of disease, however allocation of limited resources is poorly documented. We systematically reviewed the investments awarded by funding organisations to UK institutions and their global partners for infectious disease research.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Public and philanthropic investments for the period 1997 to 2010 were included. We categorised studies by infectious disease, cross-cutting theme, and by research and development value chain, reflecting the type of science. We identified 6165 funded studies, with a total research investment of UK £2.6 billion. Public organisations provided £1.4 billion (54.0%) of investments compared with £1.1 billion (42.4%) by philanthropic organisations. Global health studies represented an investment of £928 million (35.7%). The Wellcome Trust was the leading investor with £688 million (26.5%), closely followed by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) with £673 million (25.9%). Funding over time was volatile, ranging from ?£40 million to ?£160 million per year for philanthropic organisations and ?£30 million to ?£230 million for public funders.
Conclusions/Significance
Infectious disease research funding requires global coordination and strategic long-term vision. Our analysis demonstrates the diversity and inconsistent patterns in investment, with volatility in annual funding amounts and limited investment for product development and clinical trials.
Text
journal.pone.0105722.pdf
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 28 July 2014
Published date: 27 August 2014
Organisations:
CES General, Clinical & Experimental Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 386503
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/386503
ISSN: 1932-6203
PURE UUID: 3806fadf-df3c-400f-bb12-4f5b36379d15
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 28 Jan 2016 16:45
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:51
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Contributors
Author:
Gemma Elizabeth Derrick
Author:
Joseph R. Fitchett
Author:
Mary K. Cooke
Author:
Fatima B. Wurie
Author:
Rifat Atun
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