CONNECTED is a Vector-borne Disease Network awarded to the University of Bristol, UK. It is funded by the UK government Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) which supports research on global issues affecting developing countries. The Network Director is Professor Gary Foster (University of Bristol) and the Co-Director is Professor Neil Boonham (Newcastle University).

CONNECTED aims to build a sustainable Network of international scientists and researchers to address the challenges of vector-borne plant viruses in Africa.

Network members are forging new links and consolidating existing ones to provide the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach essential for tackling vector-borne disease.

A key objective is to enable Network members to successfully apply for research funding. To facilitate this, CONNECTED is providing pump-prime funding for a wide range of short term research projects which will be used as the basis for future funding applications with national and international funding organisations.

The Network is working together with funders, farmers, stakeholders and policy makers.

Anyone with an interest in plant virus vector-borne disease can become a Network member. It is simple and free to join, using this link.

Come and join us!