WUN Research Development Fund 2023

The call has now closed.

The Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund (WUN RDF) offers grants of up to £10,000, for one year, to foster research collaborations among academic staff at WUN member universities. 

The RDF supports research projects directed at problems that lie within the network's principal research theme of sustainable development, and on which a diverse team of collaborating partners confers distinct advantage. Please follow the WUN RDF 2023 guidelines.

In line with the WUN Strategic Plan 2023-2026, proposals are encouraged that address problems in one or more of the following areas within the context of sustainable development:

• Social justice and human rights; inequality
• Sustainable world: cities and urbanization; energy transitions; water and food security
• Mental health; child and maternal health; ageing
• Responsible and ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence

Grants from the RDF are intended to help launch larger projects that will strengthen research partnerships across the network and enhance WUN's research profile. For more on how the funds can be spent, see the guidance here.

Timeline for online applications

1. July: Bristol opens call for Expressions of Interest. PIs to complete a WUN RDF 2023 Draft Proposal Form (Office document, 82kB)
   
2. Fri 22 Sep: Deadline for submission of draft proposals to jo.brooks@bristol.ac.uk
3. Fri 29 Sep: Announcement of 2 RDF projects invited for full proposal and call for Co-Is
4. Fri 6 Oct: Deadline for nominations of Co-Is (short biography to include motivations for joining the project)
5. Mon 20 Oct (9pm): WUN Central deadline for online submission of applications

Staff who are interested in submitting an application should contact jo.brooks@bristol.ac.uk

Opportunities to collaborate with researchers at other WUN member institutions

The following invitations have been received from PIs leading on applications at other WUN member institutions. Please contact the PI directly if you are interested in collaborating. 

• University of Lausanne, Dr Lilith Abrahamyan-Empson 'Creating an international platform to emplace recovery from psychosis in cities' Lausanne (PDF, 195kB)
• University of Leeds, Dr Madeleine Pownall 'Educating global citizens: A cross-national study of student perceptions' ‌Leeds MP (PDF, 80kB)
• University of Leeds, Dr Luca Sabini 'Investigate place-based sustainability tensions to support optimal governance for climate actions' Leeds LS (PDF, 88kB)
• Mahidol University, Dr Tipajin Thaipisutikul 'Exploring the responsible and ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence' Mahidol (PDF, 67kB)
• National Cheng Kung University, Prof Yungnane Yang 'Research on information processing of disaster management' NCKU (PDF, 123kB)
• ‌Federal University of Minas Gerais, Prof André Abath 'Developing an international workshop aimed at sharing data and theoretical approaches on face news and misinformation' UFMG (PDF, 115kB)
• M‌aastricht University, Ms Lorna James 'Circular supply chain management to achieve a sustainable future' Maastricht (PDF, 774kB) 
• Tecnológico de Monterrey, Prof Shahid Bashir, 'Ethical Artificial Intelligence development: meeting obstacles and shaping the future' ‌Tec de Monterrey (PDF, 182kB)