LRI’s research priorities are anchored in four cross-cutting principles: leprosy plus, integration, translation, and cost-effectiveness. Operational research is considered a cross-cutting approach applicable across all themes

• Leprosy plus approach: LRI funds research with a focus on leprosy – including research applications combining leprosy with other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or other diseases or disabilities that share cross-cutting issues with leprosy.

• Integration: LRI promotes research on embedding leprosy services within broader health systems, strengthening routine health systems, improving coordination across existing health services and addressing the underlying social and structural determinants of disease and research agendas. Research should critically examine both the advantages and disadvantages of integration.

• Translation: LRI encourages researchers to actively plan for the translation and dissemination of research results into policy and practice, ensuring that findings lead to tangible changes in leprosy services and outcomes for affected persons and endemic communities.

• Cost-effectiveness studies have been identified as a critical gap in the field. Researchers are strongly encouraged to incorporate extended/generalised cost-effectiveness analyses into their proposals.

These principles should be considered foundational across LRI’s four thematic areas research priorities below:

Diagnostics, transmission, and prophylaxis

Research that advances the tools and strategies needed to interrupt the transmission of the bacterium (M. leprae) causing leprosy.