UK SBS BLOJEU-CR17045MRC Mapping of analysis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to highlight areas of collaborative opportunity with the potential for impact.

Tender description

**The MRC requires the POISSF to be completed by 9th June for presentation to the Research Councils* The research councils, along with other UK funders, have been working together to identify a number of research opportunities and challenges to tackling the rise in AMR. A Cross-Council AMR Initiative was launched in June 2014 that would foster collaboration and information-sharing between diverse stakeholders, and allow access to resources to help develop and deliver new ways to prevent and treat resistant bacteria. Four key themes were identified to target initial investments. These themes would foster collaboration between diverse disciplines and share information across the public and private sectors. This would allow access to tools, compound libraries, datasets and screens to acquire new insights into the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the evolution of resistance and to drive the discovery of new diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic strategies for bacterial infections particularly antibiotic resistant strains. The four themes identified were: • Theme 1: Understanding the resistant bacteria • Theme 2: Accelerating therapeutic and diagnostics development • Theme 3: Understanding the real world interactions • Theme 4: Behaviour within and beyond the healthcare setting Summary of work required A Purpose Oriented Innovation and System Solution Framework (POISSF) is required that is able to map existing research activities across the breadth of the AMR landscape, using a 'One Health' perspective and considering the contributions that can be made from the social, economic, cultural, ecological, environmental, engineering and biological research communities. In addition, the POISSF must be able to identify areas of greatest collaborative opportunity in addressing the challenge posed by AMR and have the potential to highlight capacity and capability gaps in the UK AMR research landscape. This work will require consideration of the breadth of interventions and solutions to address the AMR challenge, both in a UK and global environment, and how the different research disciplines can individually and collaboratively contribute towards understanding and addressing these. Developing the POISSF, will require input from relevant funders across all relevant disciplines, before engaging with select experts in the community. Further work may be requested, dependent on the availability of funds and quality of the POISSF presented. This additional work will involve more robust mapping of existing investments and facilitation of a session on interdisciplinary opportunities at the Award Holders Meeting to held 4-5th July 2017 (UK location TBC). A maximum of £15,000 (inclusive of expenses) will be available for this additional work, if requested.