Wellcome Leap  is launching the Focused Antibiotics program to tackle antimicrobial resistance by developing "focused" formulations of existing antibiotics that treat infections while sparing the gut microbiome, thereby reducing resistance pressure.
The program supports 3-year projects and is structured around two main thrusts: (i) Thrust 1: reformulate existing antibiotics (via targeted release/activation, reduced gut exposure, or direct delivery) with preclinical demonstration in indications such as UTI, LRTI and/or AOM, including carrier discovery/optimization (1A) and preclinical development (1B), with frequent cross-team collaboration and sharing of technical developments every 3-6 months; and (ii) Thrust 2: identify specific antibiotic-induced gut microbiome changes that predict subsequent resistant infections with >80% accuracy.
Objective: to deliver microbiome-sparing antibiotic approaches and predictive microbiome markers that reduce antibiotic-driven resistance while maintaining treatment efficacy.

Deadline

• Call publication date: Not specified on the official program page.
• Portal opens: 8 May 2026 @ 11:59pm ET
• Abstract submission deadline: 15 May 2026 @ 11:59pm ET
• Abstract feedback sent: 30 May 2026 @ 7:00am ET
• Full proposal submission deadline: 29 June 2026 @ 11:59pm ET
• Funding decision sent: 29 July 2026 @ 7:00am ET

• Who can apply: proposals are accepted from any legal entity, in any legal jurisdiction, including academic, non-profit, for-profit, and regulatory/professional organizations (e.g., universities/research institutions, companies of any size, government or non-profit research organizations).
• Consortium: it is not necessary to form a large consortium; individual organizations or small teams may apply.
• Costs/budget rules (as stated): budgets are submitted in USD; full direct and government-certified indirect costs are eligible; no overhead or salary caps are indicated.
• Program participation expectation: typically two PI meetings per year (travel should be budgeted if relevant).
• Multiple submissions: allowed.

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