Georgetown University Medical Center has announced a $3.5 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project to its Center for Global Health Science and Security in support of research aimed at improving biosecurity and pandemic preparedness around the world.

The three-year grant will support efforts to improve the international community's ability to respond to biological attacks; research on best practices for building the laboratory capacity of biosurveillance systems; and a review and financial audit of international donor funding for global health security initiatives.

"Georgetown is committed to global health equity through research, education, and service, with a special focus on strengthening communities around the world," said Edward B. Healton, executive vice president for health sciences at Georgetown University Medical Center and co-leader of Georgetown's Global Health Initiative. "We are grateful to Open Philanthropy for this grant, which elevates the important and very effective work at the Center for Global Health Science and Security."