University of Liverpool Awarded £1.3m to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Fleming Fund Partner Countries

University of Liverpool Awarded £1.3m to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Fleming Fund Partner Countries

(IN BRIEF) The University of Liverpool has secured £1.3m in funding to support the UK Government’s Fleming Fund Fellowship Programme, aimed at addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in partner countries. Led by Professor Alison Holmes, the program will provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for practitioners and influencers engaged in AMR surveillance in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. With a focus on producing quality data, analysis, and sustainable investment, the initiative underscores the university’s commitment to combating AMR globally and further strengthens its leadership in infectious diseases research. Led by infectious diseases experts Dr Steve Aston, Dr Kat Stott, and Dr Derek Cocker, the program aims to empower fellows to discover solutions to the critical challenge of AMR within their communities, contributing to a worldwide effort to address this pressing issue.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 19-Apr-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — 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 Fleming Fund is a UK aid programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle antimicrobial resistance. The Fund is managed by the Department of Health and Social Care and invests in strengthening surveillance systems through a portfolio of country and regional grants, global projects and fellowship schemes.

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 compliments 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.”

Read more about the Wellcome funded CAMO-Net programme.

Media Contacts:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

Catrin Owen
Media Relations Manager – Humanities and Social Sciences
T: +44 (0)7721 834238
E: catrin.owen@liverpool.ac.uk

Sarah Stamper
Media Relations Manager – Science and Engineering
T: +44 (0)7970 247396
E: sarah.stamper@liverpool.ac.uk

Jennifer Morgan
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0)7775 547589
E: J.L.Morgan@liverpool.ac.uk

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool