The UK's Department of Health is offering more than GBP120m funding for global health research to 33 research units and groups, it was reported on Monday.

This step is being taken following an open research competition led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Following the success of this initial competition, a call for a second round of applications has also been launched, funded by GBP40m from the Department of Health Official Developmental Assistance (ODA) budget.

The aim of this research is to improve the health of patients and public in low and middle-income countries, which should ultimately help to protect the UK at home.

The 33 successful NIHR global health research units and groups include The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in collaboration with India, The Phillipines, Colombia and Nigeria, University of Dundee with India, Swansea University with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Senegal, Ghana, India, Syria, West Bank and University College London with Malawi, Mali, Gambia, Kenya, West Bank and South Africa - Mucosal Pathogens Research Unit.