WHO Announces $4 Million Fund to Accelerate Pathogen Genomic Surveillance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a $4 million grant fund generously supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Wellcome to establish a catalytic grant fund for organizations involved in pathogen genomic surveillance This initiative aims to bolster global efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to enhance pathogen surveillance capabilities and respond effectively to outbreaks.

The fund will be administered through the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), a newly established global network convened by WHO. Pathogen genomics plays a pivotal role in understanding the infectiousness, severity, and transmission dynamics of disease-causing organisms, facilitating rapid response measures to prevent and control outbreaks.

Sara Hersey, WHO’s Director for Collaborative Intelligence, emphasized the importance of genomic surveillance as a critical tool for public health responses, underscoring the need for equitable access to these capabilities across countries. Wellcome’s Director of Infectious Disease, Alex Pym, highlighted the potential of pathogen genomics in protecting lives, particularly in regions with limited resources.

The Rockefeller Foundation’s Vice President for Health, Manisha Bhinge, expressed pride in supporting this endeavor, emphasizing the imperative of making pathogen genomics accessible to all countries and communities to address the growing pandemic and epidemic risks.

The $4 million fund will be available for IPSN members to apply for grant funding starting February 2024. Its primary objective is to empower lower-resource members to contribute to the global genomics surveillance community through research and innovative approaches, thereby fostering equity and scalability in pathogen genomic surveillance.