We’re in the midst of uncertain times, with lots of gaps in our knowledge about this virus. When I speak with colleagues across Bristol, the UK, and the world I hear the concern about these changing times and what the future holds.

Researchers across Bristol are pouring energy into thinking about COVID-19. This has included modelling work at their desks (See ‘A spatial model of CoVID-19 transmission in England and Wales: early spread and peak timing’) and work in their laboratories. Experts in infection have been speaking in the media, talking about their work and providing clear messages about what we know and what we don’t know. Across the UK a major research funder, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has started to support research to help understand, prevent and control COVID-19.

Our work at the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute is to support research across the University of Bristol. We would like to hear from you now if you have ideas for research that we could support. These would, because of our resource, need to be modest in scale. But what we want to do now is to listen to those people who have knowledge and ideas.

Rapid response funding call for research into COVID-19

We are offering support for research into the novel coronavirus / COVID-19. This call is for applications to enable University of Bristol academic staff to apply for research funding in this area. The funding call is supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute’s Institutional Strategic Support Fund from the Wellcome Trust and the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) have also provided support from the University’s alumni and friends. Please apply by 12 noon on Wednesday 25 March 2020, but if you have time-sensitive research that you would like us to consider sooner, then please get in touch.

We anticipate that individual projects funded from this scheme will be in the order of £500 - £5,000 each, and this will be dictated by the needs of each project. Please contact us if you have a research idea that would cost above this amount.

Further information and to apply.

And finally, I think I should make it clear that I’m not a clinician, I was trained as an anthropologist. As an anthropologist I’m interested in how people and societies manage in situations like the current pandemic. Anthropologists have had important input into the design and delivery of public health interventions, including in major infectious disease situations. But infectious disease isn’t my speciality and I think it’s just as important, at times like this, to be clear about what one doesn’t know as well as what one does. So, please tell us, what’s your expertise, what research we can support, what are the questions we can help answer? Get in touch and apply to our funding to let us know what research ideas you have right now.

If you require further information or have any queries, please email Sarah Blackmore, EBI Funding Officer ebi-health@bristol.ac.uk