Deadline: 24-Mar-2026
The SEA DREAM 4 Health program invites research consortia in Southeast Asia to apply for large-scale funding to address urgent health challenges, including infectious diseases, climate change and health, mental health, and health systems strengthening. The program offers up to USD 6.5 million per consortium for multi-year research projects lasting up to 60 months.
Program Overview
The SEA DREAM 4 Health program is inviting applications to support high-impact research initiatives that advance scientific discovery, foster innovation, and generate strong evidence to address urgent and emerging health challenges across Southeast Asia.
The program is designed to strengthen regional research capacity and support collaborative, multi-country research efforts that contribute to sustainable health outcomes and informed policymaking.
Thematic Priority Areas
SEA DREAM 4 Health will fund research projects across four core thematic areas.
These include infectious diseases, the impact of climate change on health, mental health, and strengthening health systems and access to care.
Applicants may focus on a single thematic area or address multiple themes within one proposal. Cross-thematic approaches are encouraged only when they clearly strengthen the scientific value and relevance of the proposed research.
Research Focus and Expected Outcomes
The program supports research that leads to scientific discovery and innovation while building the foundation for new health solutions, technologies, or interventions.
Funded projects are expected to generate high-quality evidence that can inform health policy, improve service delivery, and contribute to resilient and equitable health systems in Southeast Asia.
Funding Amount and Duration
The maximum award available per research consortium is USD 6,500,000.
The recommended funding range is between USD 5,500,000 and USD 6,500,000, depending on the scope, scale, and ambition of the proposed research.
Projects may be funded for a maximum duration of 60 months, with a recommended project length of between 48 and 60 months to ensure meaningful research outputs and long-term impact.
Eligible Applicants and Lead Organizations
Eligible lead applicants must be not-for-profit organizations or public or private universities that are legally registered in one of the following countries:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam.
These organizations may serve as the Administering or Lead Organisation of a research consortium and are responsible for overall project coordination, financial management, and reporting.
Research proposals are expected to be submitted by consortia, bringing together complementary expertise and institutional capacity to address complex health challenges.
Consortium-Based Research Approach
The program emphasizes collaborative research through multi-institutional and, where relevant, multi-country consortia.
This approach is intended to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance knowledge exchange, and ensure that research findings are relevant and applicable across diverse health systems and population contexts in Southeast Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SEA DREAM 4 Health program?
SEA DREAM 4 Health is a research funding initiative that supports large-scale, multi-year research projects addressing major health challenges in Southeast Asia.
Which research themes are eligible for funding?
The program funds research in infectious diseases, climate change and health, mental health, and health systems and access to care.
Can a proposal address more than one thematic area?
Yes. Proposals may address multiple themes if doing so clearly adds scientific value and relevance to the research.
How much funding is available per project?
Each research consortium may request up to USD 6.5 million, with a recommended funding range of USD 5.5 to 6.5 million.
What is the maximum project duration?
Projects may run for up to 60 months, with a recommended duration of 48 to 60 months.
Who can apply as a lead organization?
Eligible lead organizations include not-for-profit entities or public and private universities legally registered in eligible Southeast Asian countries.
Are individual researchers eligible to apply?
No. Applications must be submitted by research consortia led by an eligible organization.
What type of impact is the program seeking?
The program seeks research that advances scientific discovery, supports innovation, and provides evidence to inform policy and strengthen health systems in Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
The SEA DREAM 4 Health program represents a major funding opportunity for Southeast Asian research institutions to collaborate on ambitious, high-impact health research.
With substantial multi-year funding and a strong focus on discovery, innovation, and policy-relevant evidence, the program aims to drive meaningful improvements in health outcomes across the region.
For more information, visit SEA DREAM.
