The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is one of the greatest global challenges, and as such warrants a global response. BRICS countries account for more than 25% of the world territory, more than 40% of the world population and play a vital role in the world economy. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BRICS STI Framework Programme is launching a call for multilateral basic, applied and innovation research projects facilitating cooperation among the researchers and institutions in the consortia which consist of partners from at least three BRICS countries corresponding to the following thematic areas:
1. Research and development of new technologies/tools for diagnosing COVID-19.
2. Research and development of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, including repurposing of available drugs.
3. Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and studies on the epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. AI, ICT and HPC oriented research for COVID-19 drugs design, vaccine development, treatment, clinical trials and public health infrastructures and systems.
5. Epidemiological studies and clinical trials to evaluate the overlap of SARSCoV-2 and comorbidities, especially tuberculosis. As part of the initiative the following research funding organizations from the BRICS 2 countries have agreed to jointly establish a scheme for funding multilateral cooperative activities:
Brazil: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
Russia: Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR)
India: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Department of Science and Technology (DST)
China: Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
South Africa: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
*** Please note that the thematic areas and type of supported research vary depending on the particular participating funding organization. More details can be found in respecting National Annex document (available on https://bricssti.org/index.php?p=new/27) or from national contact points.
For more information please click here.
*Call is open until 18th August 2020, 15:00 Moscow Time (UTC+3)