Increasing Effectiveness and Equity in Strengthening Health Research Capacity Using Data and Metrics: Recent Advances of the ESSENCE Mechanism

Background: ESSENCE on Health Research established a Working Group on Review of Investments in 2018 to improve coordination and collaboration among funders of health research capacity strengthening. Objective: Increase research on national health priorities, improve pandemic preparedness, and reduce the number of countries with very limited research capacity. Methods: Developed a basic set of metrics for national health research capacity using global data sources, assessed models of coordination and collaboration, conducted deep dives in eight countries, and summarized outcomes from a large virtual meeting of funders, researchers, and stakeholders. Findings and conclusions: Day 1 featured a keynote by the WHO Chief Scientist and updates on data and metrics for research capacity, critical for setting targets, road maps, and budgets. Day 2 focused on improving collaboration and coordination among funders and stakeholders, potential return on investment for health research, country-level coordination efforts, and examples of capacity strengthening from around the world. An intentional, data- and metric-driven approach emphasizing funder coordination, local leadership, equitable partnerships, and resource allocation can strengthen health systems in resource-poor countries and enhance global pandemic preparedness.