The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is exploring the development of a new paper to strengthen regional understanding of the health impacts of climate change, as well as the health benefits of climate action, across ASEAN countries. The paper will draw on and build upon data from the Lancet Countdown’s existing indicators.

We are inviting expressions of interest from experts across ASEAN Member States who are affiliated with regionally based institutions to contribute to this effort. We particularly welcome locally led perspectives and expertise that can help shape the publication and ensure its relevance to the ASEAN context.

We welcome applications from individuals with expertise relevant to one or more of the Lancet Countdown’s five thematic areas, who can contribute to the analysis and interpretation of existing indicator data, or support the development of new indicators relevant to the region. See the 2025 Global Report for a full list of existing global indicators.

The deadline for applications is 2 October 2026.

Read on for more details.

What does contributing involve?

Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to co-author the publication and may contribute by:

• Analysing existing Lancet Countdown indicators for the ASEAN region.
• Identifying and analysing relevant data from local and national sources to complement the existing indicators.
• Contributing to the conceptual development of the research paper.
• Helping to draft relevant sections of the paper, particularly those related to their area of expertise.
• Collaborating with the wider research team to interpret findings and contribute to the preparation of the manuscript.
• Interpreting the political and policy relevance of the findings, including identifying implications for climate and health policy across ASEAN.
• Contributing to the development of evidence-based policy recommendations arising from the analysis.
• Supporting the dissemination and communication of findings to relevant policymakers, stakeholders, and wider audiences.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of existing Lancet Countdown contributors, and will be assessed based on expertise, relevance to the thematic areas, regional representation, and capacity to make meaningful intellectual contributions.

In addition, consideration will be given to achieving appropriate geographical and disciplinary representation across ASEAN Member States to ensure a balanced and inclusive regional perspective. Applications are particularly encouraged from early- and mid-career researchers and experts from underrepresented settings.

Participation in this initiative is voluntary and no remuneration is available through this call.

Participation in the application process and subsequent selection does not guarantee inclusion in the final publication. Any contributor involved in manuscript development will be expected to make substantial intellectual contributions and must ultimately satisfy the authorship requirements of The Lancet and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), as outlined in the Lancet Countdown’s authorship criteria (available on request).

Application requirements

Experts interested in contributing to this effort are requested to submit:

1. A current curriculum vitae (CV).

2. A brief statement of interest (maximum one page) outlining:

• Relevant expertise and experience, particularly in relation to climate change, health, policy, data analysis, or other areas relevant to the ASEAN paper. Applicants should specify the ASEAN countries which which they are affiliated, and the countries in which they have been actively involved in research.
• The contribution they would like to make to the ASEAN paper, including how their expertise relates to the existing Lancet Countdown indicators, any relevant local or national data or evidence they could contribute, and the rationale for their proposed contribution.
• How they could contribute to the development of the proposed publication, including their potential role in data analysis, interpretation, drafting, policy recommendations, and/or dissemination, as well as the time they would be able to dedicate to this effort.

Next steps

Applications should be submitted by 2 October 2026.

For enquiries and submission of application materials, please contact: info@lancetcountdown.org

Global authors of the Lancet Countdown who are based within the ASEAN region will be automatically approached to participate in this manuscript. If you have not been contacted but think this applies to you, please contact info@lancetcountdown.org.

By submitting your application to info@lancetcountdown.org, you agree that your application may be shared with relevant members of the selection committee.