Exeter launches second round of global funding to tackle antifungal drug resistance

A University of Exeter funding scheme designed to combat the global challenge of fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR) has announced a new call for applications.

The FAILSAFE project (Fungal AMR Innovations for LMICS: Solutions and Access For Everyone) is a groundbreaking initiative tackling antifungal drug resistance. The project aims to promote worldwide innovations to tackle the global health threat of fungal infections in humans, plants and animals increasingly growing resistant to available treatment.

Already, the FAILSAFE project has awarded more than £1.7 million in grants to 78 researchers across 13 countries. The scheme focuses on developing innovative solutions for antifungal drug resistance, a critical global health issue disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

To deliver FAILSAFE, the UK Government’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) programme is partnering with the University of Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM). The world-leading Centre’s overarching mission is to deliver research that will substantially advance our understanding of fungal diseases, and improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal diseases in the future.

fAMR poses a critical threat to both human health and global food security. Fungal infections can be devastating, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as children with leukaemia and those with compromised immune systems. As well as increasing the number of deaths due to fungal diseases, drug resistant fungal pathogens also jeopardise wildlife, and essential crops that that sustain the global food supply.

Life-threatening fungal diseases claim as many lives annually as tuberculosis or malaria, yet the organisms responsible remain significantly understudied, and the arsenal of effective treatments is critically limited. The escalating prevalence of fAMR in the environment and hospital settings further diminishes treatment options, thereby intensifying this urgent crisis. As part of the broader global challenge of AMR, which includes resistance to antibacterial drugs, fAMR demands immediate and coordinated global action.

Highlighting the importance of sustained research funding to develop solutions for fAMR, Professor Elaine Bignell, Co-Director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter and Co-Lead of the FAILSAFE project, said:

“Launching the second round of FAILSAFE funding is an exciting opportunity to expand the impact of this initiative and to nurture the global community of researchers needed to tackle antifungal drug resistance. The diversity and calibre of the global research already funded by FAILSAFE reflects enormous need, as well as enormous potential to transform outcomes for fAMR, particularly in countries where the need is most urgent.

The FAILSAFE project is now welcoming new applications for funding to support innovative projects aimed at addressing antifungal drug resistance.  Researchers from around the world are invited to apply for funding, which will focus on the development of cutting-edge products or solutions to mitigate the impact of fAMR.

Priority areas include the creation of innovative One Health approaches, the development of accessible and affordable innovations tailored to the specific needs of LMICs, and the establishment of international research partnerships across industry, academia, and governments. Proposals that collaborate with or leverage additional funding from other global donors are also strongly encouraged.

The application process is now open, with detailed guidance and further information available at https://cmm-failsafe.com/. With the deadline set for 21^st April 2025, researchers are encouraged to act promptly to submit their proposals and play a vital role in this global effort to combat fAMR.

Get in touch with the FAILSAFE team by emailing FAILSAFE@exeter.ac.uk.

Funding went to the following projects: