French-German call for projects on antimicrobial resistance

The French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) via the French National Research Agency (ANR), and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are launching their second joint call for projects on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Both countries have considerable expertise and resources to contribute to the fight against AMR through the formation of productive bilateral research collaborations. Hence, MESRI and BMBF have each committed up to 3,5 million euros for this call, meant to address unmet needs within the AMR field.

Antimicrobial resistance affects not only humans, but is tightly connected to animal health and the environment. Thus, France and Germany have both agreed to accelerate efforts based on a “One-Health” approach to combat AMR. This call will enable French and German scientists to build effective collaborations on a common research project involving human and veterinary medicine, as well as other areas of expertise like biology, chemistry, agricultural sciences, environmental research, food technology and social sciences.

Aim of the call

A Franco-German expert committee identified the following two priority topics and thus specified the aim of this call.

1. Innovative research on AMR in environmental reservoirs (water, soil, wild animals, plants, biofilms on plastic waste, etc.)
   1. Biologic and epidemiologic relevance (risk assessment) of environmental  reservoirs for humans or animals regarding the emergence, transmission and dissemination of AMR
   2. Impact of antibiotics, antibiotic residues and other pollutants related to hygienic measures in human and animal health on AMR
   3. Improved or novel methods to quantify and characterize antibiotic-resistant bacteria, genes and mobile genetic elements, antibiotics and antibiotic residues in environ¬mental sample matrices (e.g. wastewater, soil, air)
   4. Innovative interventions to reduce AMR in environmental reservoirs
       
2. Innovative research on antibiotic resistant bacteria colonizing humans, farm animals, pets and food products
   1. a)    Epidemiology, biology and impact of colonizing antibiotic resistant bacteria
   2. b)    Innovative approaches for prevention or reduction of colonization with antibiotic resistant bacteria
   3. c)    Impact of disinfectants on the emergence of colonizing antibiotic resistant bacteria

Consortium composition

Applicants must adhere to the specific regulations of the national funding organizations.

Only bilateral projects will be funded. Each consortium submitting a proposal must involve one French and one German coordinator eligible to receive funding from their respective funding agency, ANR or BMBF. Additional research partners, eligible to receive funding from either agency, may join the consortium.

Funding will be awarded for a maximum of three years. ANR will exclusively fund French partners of the selected projects.