VALIDATE is an international network of researchers working together to accelerate vaccine development for three groups of complex neglected intracellular pathogens that cause significant mortality and morbidity throughout the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs): mycobacteria (causing tuberculosis (TB), leprosy and other diseases), leishmania species (causing leishmaniasis), and Burkholderia pseudomallei (causing melioidosis).
A second important aim of the VALIDATE Network is to facilitate career progression for our members, particularly Early Career and LMIC Researchers, by providing funding, training, a mentoring scheme, events, and other activities, as well as this central hub website highlighting job and training opportunities worldwide.
We believe that by working together, we will accelerate vaccine R&D for our focus pathogens. VALIDATE is an engaged and interactive community of researchers, forming new cross-pathogen, cross-continent, cross-species and cross-discipline collaborations, generating new ideas, taking advantage of synergies and quickly disseminating lessons learned across the Network. We provide various funding streams for ground-breaking projects by members.
Becoming a member is free and easy - for details on how to join, click here.
VALIDATE Annual Meeting 2027 Calls
Share your research, spark new collaborations and connect with vaccine researchers from around the world in Singapore. Applications are now open to give a research talk or present a poster at the VALIDATE Annual Meeting 2027.
Read the guidance and apply via the Annual Meeting page by 26 October 2026.
VALIDATE Training Grants
To support these aims, Early Career Researcher training grants are available of up to £3,500 to help researchers take advantage of training opportunities that will contribute to their CPD. This can include (but is not limited to): attendance at courses or workshops, laboratory exchanges, and work shadowing.
Find Out More About Our Focus Pathogens
Find Out More About VALIDATE
Why Vaccine R&D is Important
"Without doubt, vaccines are among the most efficient tools
for promoting individual and public health"
- World Health Organization
- These pathogen groups cause significant death and injury in populations most in need - those in LMICs. For example, TB kills 1.6million people every year; that's more than HIV or malaria (read more here)
- These diseases are linked to poverty and cause significant economic impact to sufferers in countries where there is no unemployment or sickness benefit and no free healthcare; people need to be able to work to afford to eat, and have to pay to be treated for their healthcare needs
- Because of these health and economic impacts, ending the epidemics of TB and other neglected tropical diseases, such as leishmaniasis, is UN Sustainable Development Goal #3
- Vaccines are one of the best public health strategies for combating infectious diseases - for example, smallpox, which killed 300-500 million people in the 20th century alone, is now extinct due to vaccination campaigns. Developing effective vaccines against TB, leprosy, leishmaniasis, or melioidosis could make a huge difference to people's lives
