The Sustained Viral Resilience Program (SVR) invites innovative concept papers for projects that could revolutionise protection against viral infections and preparedness. The goal of the program is to modify the inherent immunity system to provide lasting broad-spectrum protection from respiratory viruses like influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other pandemic threats in the future.
It is a PS46 million initiative that is the chance for Nigerian as well as African research institutes, academic institutions and biotech companies to take part in the global health innovation. The goal of the program is to connect scientific research with practical application by collaborating on projects that help strengthen health systems and resilience to viral infections.
Deadline: November 10, 2025
Programme Overview
It is the Sustained Viral Resilience program forms part of building sculpting innate immunity opportunities. It aims to create a new class of drugs that draw on the body’s own immune system to combat the various respiratory viruses.
The program is split into three focal areas (thematic areas, or “TAs”), each being a particular stage in research and development.
Focus Areas
1.TA1 – Explorers
This stream is intended to fund early-stage projects that show proof of concept in Sustained Innate Immune Prevention (SIIP).
The projects should demonstrate that SIIPs are feasible through iterative design, testing and validation on both in vitro and in vivo models.
2.TA2 – Accelerators
Accelerators seek to develop tools for models, data, and tools which help speed up SIIP research. They include cutting-edge computational platforms, models of biology and standardised datasets that allow rapid and consistent results.
3.TA3 – Translators
This stream funds projects that aid in translating research into commercial and clinical applications. Translators will work to transform technological breakthroughs into solutions that can be scaled and that can be used worldwide for health.
Funding and Allocation
SVR Programme The SVR Programme has a total budget in the amount of the sum of £46 million, which is distributed in the following manner:
The funding will include research, personnel equipment, collaboration, and costs. The projects must yield tangible results with clear research paths and the potential for application in real-world situations.
Eligibility
Applications are available to all organisations in the global research and development ecosystem that include:
- Research institutions and universities
- Private and public corporations
- Non-profit and charitable organisations as well as charities
- Research institutions from the public sector
Individual applicants may apply or in a consortium comprising at least two partners. One lead institution is responsible for managing and distributing funds.
To be eligible for Nigerian applicants, the organisations that are eligible comprise accredited universities and research organisations, as well as biotech companies involved in the fields of immunology and virology, as well as vaccine-related research.
How to Apply – Application Process
The steps for submitting your idea paper:
- Visit the official SVR Programme portal.
- Review the application guidelines for Explorers, Accelerators, or Translators streams.
- Prepare a concept paper outlining objectives, methodology, innovation, and expected outcomes.
- Define how your project helps to improve viral resilience as well as health safety in Africa.
- Submit your application before November 10, 2025.
Successful applicants could be invited to submit complete proposals after review and feedback.
Evaluation Criteria
These concepts will then be rated by analysing:
- Relevance to immunity and resilience research
- Technological and scientific innovation
- Scalability and feasibility of the proposed solutions
- Collaboration across disciplines
- Contribution to the global health preparedness
The priority will go to those that have robust data, clear impact pathways, as well as relationships that are in partnership with African and international institutions of research.
Expected Impact
The Sustained Viral Resilience Programme will:
- Speed up the development of new SIIP-based drugs.
- Increase the strength of the global research ecosystem against the threat of viruses.
- Encourage international collaboration between institutions and scientists.
- Enhance the health security and prepare for the possibility of epidemics.
For African nations such as Nigeria, this opportunity offers the chance to participate in international research in immunology as well as to expand the research capabilities of local researchers and establish African scientists as major players in the field of health technology.
Conclusion
The Sustained Viral Resilience Programme 2025 is a forward-looking investment in global health security. By providing funding for pioneering research in the innate immune system, it hopes to prevent future outbreaks through research collaboration and development.
For Nigerian biotech companies, universities and researchers in public health, this is an opportunity to be a part of the development of innovative technology for protecting against viral infections that could save millions of people across Africa and the world.