2025 has been a year of real momentum for The Pandemic Institute (TPI), as we continued to strengthen preparedness for emerging infectious diseases through rapid research funding, global collaboration, community engagement and working closely with policymakers.

Accelerating research into emerging threats

Responding quickly to a changing global health landscape, TPI awarded more than £700,000 in 2025 to support research tackling emerging infections. This included rapid response funding where it was needed most, a new PhD studentship and pump priming with new strategic partners. These awards reflect TPI’s commitment to rapidly mobilising funding where scientific insight can make the greatest difference.

Building partnerships

Collaboration remained central to our mission in 2025. A new partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) funded ten interdisciplinary projects aimed at strengthening the UK’s ability to detect, understand and respond to infectious threats, including work using artificial intelligence to predict virus-host interactions.

Internationally, with nearly £250,000 from the Shaw Foundation, we launched the Liverpool–Hong Kong Partnership, bringing together six universities to address major pandemic threats ranging from influenza and Ebola to antimicrobial resistance. TPI also became a UK academic and technical partner in the ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership, supporting a five-year programme to strengthen preparedness, health systems and knowledge exchange across Southeast Asia.

Strengthening diagnostic capacity

In Malawi, TPI funding supported a new partnership between the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust and the Public Health Institute of Malawi to build sustainable national diagnostic capacity. Through hands-on training, national workshops and the creation of a shared “primer bank” capable of detecting more than 40 pathogens, this initiative is empowering local leadership and improving outbreak response.

Putting people and communities at the centre

2025 also saw a strong focus on public trust, engagement and equity. TPI launched its Public Steering Group, ensuring public voices help shape pandemic research priorities. Along with CSL Seqirus, we funded research with ethnically minoritised communities in Liverpool to better understand barriers to flu vaccination, highlighting the importance of trust, accessibility and community-led communication.

Creative approaches to public health were also supported through Mpox: What’s Your Story, a storytelling project using poetry, animation and lived experience to challenge stigma and build trust in health messaging. Locally, TPI continued to inspire future scientists through hands-on engagement with young people from community organisations.

Engaging leaders and shaping the future

Throughout the year, TPI hosted visits from MPs, councillors and senior civic leaders, showcasing the strength of Liverpool’s infectious disease research ecosystem and plans for a new Pandemic Preparedness and Response Facility.

In October, more than 140 academic, industry, government and civic partners came together in Liverpool for The Pandemic Institute Scientific Meeting 2025, reinforcing the importance of partnership, communication and trust in preparing for future pandemics.

As 2025 draws to a close, The Pandemic Institute remains focused on one goal: working together to ensure we are better prepared for the pandemics of tomorrow.

Watch the TPI Year in Review 2025 video here: Year in Review 2025