Founded in 2020, the Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI) supports high-quality scientific research that explores the relationship between hygiene and health. Its mission is to fund research generating scientific evidence and insights that lead to the adoption of sustainable hygienic practices globally, aiming for lasting behavioral change. RGHI is focused on expanding understanding of hygiene science, advancing hygiene standards, promoting global health through behavior change, and informing the public health agenda.
The RGHI International Collaboration Award (ICA) is aimed at fostering academic collaborations to enhance understanding and evidence in the field of hygiene. This includes a wide range of research areas such as basic research, clinical investigation, epidemiology, behavioural science, sociology, health economics, and engineering. With a budget of up to $750,000 over a 3-year period, the ICA supports equitable research partnerships that aim to translate research findings into practical improvements in hygiene practices worldwide. Additionally, it includes opportunities for career development and training for early career researchers across all collaborating institutions. A key feature of this grant is promoting equitable partnerships, particularly emphasizing that at least 50% of collaborators should be based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to ensure mutual respect and fair resource allocation. The grant supports exploratory and implementation research, interventions for behaviour change, policy and system strengthening, and methodological studies in hygiene, with thematic interests in planetary health, One Health, gender equity, and inclusive social practices.