The World Health Organization (WHO), alongside several key partners, has announced the recipients of grants totaling nearly US$ 2 million. These grants are aimed at strengthening the capacities of countries in low- and middle-income regions to improve pathogen genomic surveillance. This initiative, spearheaded by the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), is part of a broader effort to better understand and respond to infectious disease threats that continue to affect global health.
Pathogen genomic surveillance involves analyzing the genetic material of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause diseases. By studying their genetic makeup, scientists can gain insights into how pathogens spread, their potential to cause severe illness, and their ability to evolve. This critical information supports the development of vaccines, informs public health strategies, and enables faster responses to disease outbreaks. The IPSN’s catalytic grant fund, which supports these efforts, is hosted by the United Nations Foundation and backed by prominent organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Wellcome.
“The catalytic grant fund represents a significant step forward in expanding pathogen genomic surveillance across the globe,” said Sara Hersey, Director of Collaborative Intelligence at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. “We are already seeing the tremendous potential of this initiative to enhance pandemic and epidemic preparedness.”
Manisha Bhinge, Vice President of the Health Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation, emphasized the urgency of equitable access to pathogen genomic surveillance tools, particularly as the effects of climate change continue to exacerbate health risks. “There is an urgent need to ensure that vulnerable communities have the resources to protect themselves from global health threats,” she stated.
Among the organizations awarded grants is the American University of Beirut, which will focus on wastewater surveillance to track disease spread in refugee populations. This innovative approach will help ensure that individuals in migration settings receive timely care and support. Another grantee, the Pasteur Institute of Laos, plans to use the funds to enhance tracking methods for avian flu, specifically in live-bird markets, a crucial yet often neglected site in global disease control efforts.
Titus Divala, Interim Head of Epidemics and Epidemiology at Wellcome, stressed the importance of understanding how pathogens evolve and spread. “These projects, designed in collaboration with local communities, will generate valuable data that can guide evidence-based decisions and help track pathogen trends globally,” Divala explained.
In Brazil, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro will develop an open-source bioinformatics tool designed for offline use. This tool will be tested in Latin America and, if successful, could have global applications, particularly in areas with limited access to resources.
Simon Harris from the Gates Foundation highlighted how recent outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2 have underscored the need for universal access to genomic surveillance tools. “The IPSN’s catalytic investments will pave the way for better data collection and innovative methods to address public health challenges in low-resource settings,” Harris said.
These grants were announced at the IPSN Global Partners Forum, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2024. The event, co-hosted by the WHO’s Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, gathered key stakeholders to discuss global pathogen surveillance initiatives.
A second round of catalytic grant funds will be available to IPSN members in 2025, marking an ongoing commitment to strengthening global health resilience in the face of emerging infectious diseases.
