Developing Research Excellence and Mentorship in Southeast Asia (SEA DREAM)

Southeast Asian research consortia will receive funding to tackle the region’s most pressing health challenges, from infectious diseases to the health impacts of climate change. This matters because Southeast Asia faces a double burden: persistent infectious diseases like dengue and tuberculosis, alongside emerging threats from climate change, mental health crises, and weak healthcare access. Local research capacity often lags behind these problems, with limited funding, mentorship, and regional coordination. The programme fills this gap by building equitable research ecosystems that can produce locally relevant solutions. If successful, the programme will fund at least eight regionally led consortia over five years. The potential impact is concrete: new policies and interventions for climate-related health risks, stronger health systems that reach underserved populations, and a pipeline of research leaders who can sustain this work beyond the grant. For example, research on climate change and health could inform early-warning systems for heat-related illness or guide infrastructure planning for flood-prone areas. The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) will implement the programme, ensuring it aligns with national priorities rather than imposing external agendas.