Who funds research on pandemic preparedness? A global landscape of the last 25 years (2000–2025)

Abstract Aim Pandemic preparedness is vital for global health security, yet its funding and institutional landscapes remain poorly mapped. We aimed to map the organizations financing pandemic preparedness research over the last 25 years, examining shifts across pre-COVID-19, surge, and post-surge periods. Subject and methods We conducted a bibliometric analysis of 940 articles on pandemic preparedness indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (2000–2025). Funding and institutional data were standardized and analyzed. Results Research followed a long-term upward trajectory, with a significant spike during the 2020-2022 surge. Thematic focus transitioned from influenza to COVID-19 dominance. The USA remained the leading contributor, though the surge saw diversification led by China. Primary publishing organizations were the World Health Organization (WHO), Johns Hopkins University, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The funding landscape was led by the National Institutes of Health, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and WHO. Funding flow analysis showed high national concentration by domestic agencies, whereas WHO supported geographically diverse research. Research was primarily directed toward public and occupational health, followed by infectious diseases and immunology. Conclusion The global architecture for pandemic preparedness research is bifurcated, with domestic agencies in the USA and China driving volume, while WHO catalyzes geographical diversity. High national concentration of funding suggests a risk of research agendas being driven by high-income country interests. Breaking the cycle of neglect requires a shift toward multilateral, equitable funding models that support decentralized research capacity in low- and middle-income countries.