Members of CAMO-Net UK based at the University of Liverpool have launched the Fleming Fund Fellowship Programme, aimed at developing the next generation of AMR researchers. Read the full story below.
The University of Liverpool as Host Institution for the Fleming Fund Fellowship Scheme for Nigeria and Sierra Leone has officially launched. The August virtual orientation meeting marked the beginning of a programme designed to enhance the professional development of practitioners in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), fostering a global community of AMR leaders.
The Fleming Fund is a £265 million UK aid investment to tackle AMR in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The fellowship programme is managed by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, in partnership with Mott MacDonald, the Fleming Fund Grants Management Agent, and the University of Liverpool as a Host Institution for its Fellowship scheme.
Fellows who were selected for the scheme in Nigeria and Sierra Leone are practitioners and influencers who are already engaged in AMR surveillance, and bring with them a wealth of experience from their countries. They are paired with mentors across the University of Liverpool, led by infectious diseases consultant Dr Steve Aston, and partner organisations across the UK, who offer advice and guidance from a global perspective.
The launch at Liverpool opened with a welcome from key representatives of the University of Liverpool. Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Liverpool highlighted the importance of the fellowship to the university and its ambitions to build relationships and help strengthen research capacity around the world.
Professor Ali said, “I am incredibly proud of our participation in the Fleming Fund Fellowship Programme. Not only does it show our commitment to global engagement and partnerships, it is a chance to make a real impact to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Our new fellows each bring with them invaluable experience, expertise, and insights from communities where AMR has a profound impact. By working together, we can achieve great things.”
The additional partner organisations who will contribute to the mentorship of the new fellows are the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the UKHSA, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), WorldFish, CGIAR (Formerly Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research), City University London, and Alder Hey Childrens’ Hospital.
The partners were introduced at the orientation meeting, which also included dedicated sessions for each country. The sessions were tailored to introduce the fellows and mentors, discuss the specific AMR challenges in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and set the scene for the collaborative projects which will be shared across fellows in each country. These discussions provided a platform for fellows to share insights and reflect on the challenges that lay ahead.
A key component of the day was starting discussions on the development of individualised work plans. This session focused on building core skills and identifying training opportunities, including visits to the University of Liverpool as the Host Institution. Fellows also explored potential project ideas, identified data needs, and considered cross-sectoral involvement. Alumni from the previous Fleming Fund round shared their experiences, challenges, and successes, offering guidance and inspiration to the new fellows.
Professor Alison Holmes, the project lead for this programme at the University of Liverpool, highlighted the collaborative nature of the programme: “The fellowship programme is an exciting opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen our capacity, and implement locally relevant and sustainable solutions to AMR in the communities most affected by it.”
“The fellowship programme is an exciting opportunity for us to learn from one another. We will strengthen our research capacity, and will implement locally relevant and sustainable solutions to improve the use of antibiotics, addressing the challenge of AMR in the communities most affected by it”
The Fellowships will last until December 2025. You can keep up with how they progress here.
