Global initiative expands funding to combat antifungal drug resistance

The University of Exeter has launched a new round of funding to tackle the growing global challenge of fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR). The FAILSAFE project (Fungal AMR Innovations for LMICs: Solutions and Access For Everyone) is now inviting applications for its second phase, supporting innovative solutions to counteract antifungal drug resistance.

FAILSAFE, a pioneering initiative addressing fAMR, promotes global research efforts to combat the increasing resistance of fungal infections affecting humans, animals, and plants. Since its inception, the project has allocated over £1.7 million in grants to 78 researchers across 13 countries, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the impact of antifungal resistance is most severe.

Funded through the UK Government’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), FAILSAFE is delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM). The Centre is dedicated to advancing research that improves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal diseases worldwide.

Fungal infections pose a significant threat to human health and global food security. Drug-resistant fungal pathogens endanger vulnerable populations, including children with leukemia and individuals with weakened immune systems, while also jeopardising wildlife and essential crops. Despite causing as many deaths annually as tuberculosis or malaria, fungal diseases remain under-researched, and treatment options are severely limited. The rise of fAMR in environmental and clinical settings further compounds this critical issue, necessitating urgent and coordinated global action.

Professor Elaine Bignell, Co-Director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter and Co-Lead of the FAILSAFE project, emphasised the importance of continued investment in fAMR research: “The launch of this second funding round is an opportunity to expand the FAILSAFE initiative and support a global network of researchers dedicated to tackling antifungal drug resistance. The breadth and quality of the projects funded so far highlight both the urgent need and the vast potential for innovation in this field, particularly in regions where the impact is most severe.”

The latest funding call invites researchers worldwide to submit proposals focused on developing groundbreaking solutions to mitigate the effects of fAMR. Priority will be given to projects that incorporate One Health approaches, create accessible and affordable innovations for LMICs, and foster international collaborations across academia, industry, and government. Proposals that align with or use additional funding from other global donors are also encouraged.

Applications are now open, with full guidance available. The deadline for submissions is 21st April 2025, and researchers are urged to apply promptly to contribute to this vital global effort against antifungal drug resistance.

More information online