Norway based CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, has opened a new funding opportunity to support the rapid generation of additional clinical research on COVID-19 vaccines.

Complementary to ongoing vaccine R&D efforts, the purpose of the new Call is to provide critical evidence to address current gaps in our clinical knowledge of vaccine performance both now and in the long-term, in order to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines as part of the global vaccination rollout.

Up to $140 million, contingent upon the availability of funds, is to be made available to scientific groups worldwide to carry out the supporting research on COVID-19 vaccines either already available to populations in some countries under ‘emergency use approval’ or ‘conditional licensure’ or similar, or currently in clinical development.

This includes COVID-19 vaccine developers, as well as public health organisations, academic institutions and others who may not be directly carrying out their own COVID-19 vaccine development but have the capacity, ability and partnerships established to carry out research on a chosen vaccine.

As one of the global health organisations co-leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CEPI is launching this Call to ensure expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines remains a global priority and to also act in its facilitating role, connecting successful applicants to initiatives and projects supported by CEPI, to advance their clinical research.