Deadline: 23-Jul-2026
The Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants programme supports innovative, early-stage projects that connect climate science with human health research and practice.
It is designed to encourage new interdisciplinary collaborations that address emerging health risks driven by climate change.
Core Objectives of the Programme
The programme aims to:
- Build new interdisciplinary collaborations across science and health fields
- Improve understanding of climate change impacts on human health
- Support pilot and early-stage innovative research ideas
- Reduce environmental impacts of healthcare and biomedical systems
- Strengthen preparedness for climate-related health system disruptions
- Enhance public outreach and climate-health education
Key Thematic Areas
Funded projects may focus on:
- Climate impacts on human health and disease patterns
- Integration of biomedical and environmental sciences
- Ecology, geography, geology, and planetary health approaches
- Epidemiology, public health, and demography
- Economics and urban planning related to health systems
- Sustainable healthcare delivery and low-impact biomedical research
- Climate resilience in health systems during extreme events
- Climate-health communication and education
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to a wide range of participants, including:
- Academic scientists and researchers
- Physicians and healthcare professionals
- Public health experts
- Community-based organisations
- Science outreach and education centres
- Non-biomedical researchers and professionals
- Cross-sector interdisciplinary teams
Funding Details
- Grant size: $2,500 – $50,000 per project
- Total funding pool: $1 million
- Funding period: Fall 2023 – Summer 2026
- Focus: early-stage and pilot initiatives
Programme Priorities
The initiative prioritises:
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration between previously unconnected fields
- Innovative and exploratory pilot projects
- Climate-health system integration
- Practical applications for healthcare sustainability
- Public engagement and science communication
- Solutions addressing climate-related health risks
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Degree of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Innovation and originality of approach
- Relevance to climate change and human health
- Potential for long-term research or practical impact
- Feasibility of early-stage implementation
- Strength of cross-sector partnership
Why the Programme Matters
This funding is important because it:
- Bridges gaps between climate science and health research
- Encourages innovative responses to emerging health threats
- Supports resilience in healthcare systems
- Promotes sustainability in biomedical research and delivery
- Enhances public understanding of climate-health links
- Builds foundational research for future large-scale solutions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting large-scale, fully developed projects instead of seed ideas
- Lack of interdisciplinary collaboration
- Weak connection between climate and human health outcomes
- Overly narrow disciplinary focus
- Poorly defined pilot methodology
- Ignoring public engagement or communication components
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define the climate-health problem being addressed
- Build a genuinely interdisciplinary team
- Focus on a small, testable pilot idea
- Highlight innovation and early-stage potential
- Include public engagement or outreach components
- Demonstrate clear relevance to human health outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants programme?
A funding initiative supporting early-stage interdisciplinary projects linking climate change and human health.
How much funding is available?
Between $2,500 and $50,000 per project.
What is the total programme budget?
$1 million between Fall 2023 and Summer 2026.
Who can apply?
Researchers, health professionals, academics, and community or outreach organisations.
What types of projects are supported?
Early-stage pilot studies linking climate change with human health outcomes.
Is interdisciplinary collaboration required?
Yes, strong cross-disciplinary partnerships are a core requirement.
Conclusion
The Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants programme supports early-stage, interdisciplinary research that connects climate change with human health outcomes. By funding pilot initiatives across diverse fields, it fosters innovative approaches to understanding and addressing complex climate-related health challenges.
For more information, visit Burroughs Wellcome Fund.