WUN Research Development Fund 2019

16 Aug 2019

What is the WUN Research Development Fund (RDF)?

The Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund (WUN RDF) offers grants of up to £10,000*, for one year, to augment institutional funds in fostering research collaborations among academic staff at WUN member universities. The WUN RDF supports work across four WUN Global Challenges:

• Responding to climate change
• Public health (non-communicable diseases) 
• Global higher education and research
• Understanding cultures

Grants from the WUN RDF are intended to help launch larger projects that will strengthen WUN and collaborative responses to the WUN Global Challenges. Funds can be used to support exploratory research initiatives, planning workshops, staff exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks. Applications that incorporate research mobility for PhD students are encouraged.

How to apply

Each WUN member university may submit up to two applications on which its academic staff are principal investigators (PIs). There is no limit on the number of applications on which an individual can be a co-investigator (Co-I).

Please download the WUN 2019 RDF Guidelines (PDF, 135kB).

Research proposals involving UCD academics as PIs or Co-Is must be aligned with UCD’s research priorities and with the university’s Global Engagement Strategy. Applications must first be approved for submission through an internal review at UCD (see timeline below), prior to submission to WUN via the WUN online application portal by Thursday, 31 October 2019.

Applications to lead projects as PIs must be accompanied by:

• Program budget outlining key areas of expenditure.
• CV of the principal investigator (1 page maximum) with URL links to partner investigators.
• Letters of support from WUN partner universities confirming matching financial support.

A small amount of matched funding is available from the Office of Global Engagement; however, matched funding should initially be sought from the applicant's home School or College - please approach your Head of School in the first instance. 

Timeline for applications (2019 scheme)

August: UCD opens call for Expressions of Interest:

• Principal Investigators to complete WUN RDF Application Form 2019 - Draft Proposal Form for UCD PIs (Word document).
• Co-Investigators to provide a short biography including motivations for joining the project, and an indication of the availability of matched funding from the Co-I’s home School or College.

20 September: Internal deadline for receipt of draft PI and Co-I proposals to the Office of Global Engagement (vpforglobalengagement@ucd.ie).

03 October: Announcement of (up to 2) RDF projects invited for full proposal and confirmation of central matched funding for Co-I proposals.

31 October (5pm GMT): WUN deadline for online submission of applications.

If you are interested in submitting an application and would like to discuss this further, please contact the Director, UCD Global, Dr Douglas Proctor (douglas.proctor@ucd.ie).

*Currency converter (set at 25 June 2019): GBP£1 = EUR1.12