Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to threaten global health security, with the World Health Organization recognising it as one of the top ten public health threats worldwide. As pathogens evolve to resist antimicrobial treatments, infections become more difficult and costly to manage, placing routine medical procedures and modern healthcare systems at risk. Without decisive preventive strategies, reliance on antibiotics will continue to grow, accelerating resistance and diminishing the effectiveness of life-saving treatments.

While antibiotic innovation remains important, reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place represents one of the most sustainable and impactful responses to AMR. Since its establishment in 2017, the PAR Foundation (The Foundation to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance) has championed a prevention-first approach. Through previous grant cycles, the Foundation has supported diverse initiatives ranging from host-directed therapeutic research and community-based infection risk reduction models to immersive AMR education tools and cross-disciplinary public health collaborations.

For 2026, PAR Foundation shifts its focus decisively toward research that directly lowers antibiotic reliance through prevention, behaviour change, innovation, and systems strengthening.

We are seeking innovative research proposals that measurably contribute to preventing infections and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. We believe that a coordinated, cross-sectoral effort is essential to safeguard the long-term effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments in both human and animal health.

We encourage projects that explore novel approaches in areas such as:

• Preventive strategies that reduce infection incidence and limit antibiotic demand.

• Development or testing of non-antibiotic preventive interventions.

• Diagnostic innovations that minimise unnecessary prescribing.

• Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship systems in clinical or community settings.

• Socio-behavioural research addressing drivers of antibiotic overuse and misuse.

• Integrated approaches combining public health, behavioural science, biomedical research, and data science.

Priority will be given to multidisciplinary proposals with clear translation pathways, measurable outcomes, and strong potential for scalable impact in reducing antibiotic dependence.

We welcome applications from researchers across disciplines who are committed to developing scalable, impactful, and practical solutions to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Application Deadline: April 30th, 2026