WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) 2023 round is now open

Deadline for internal applications: Monday, 25th, September

• Principal theme: Sustainable development.
• Focus area: In line with the WUN Strategic Plan 2023-2026, we encourage proposals that address problems in one or more of the following areas within the context of sustainable development:

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

Background

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is a leading global higher education network of 24 leading comprehensive research universities to advance research and collaboration. It brings together all the member universities that sit in widely diverse geographical and cultural contexts, forming a partnership with the most talented researchers and educators globally to work with a range of focused issues.  

Research Development Fund (RDF) is an annual competitive fund offered by the WUN, with grants up to £10,000 for international researchers across the network to collaborate.

How to be eligible?

To be eligible, a research collaboration must include additional two WUN members (except NCKU) from at least two regions in total. Non-WUN universities and external partners are also welcome. However, please note that WUN member university must be the active core of the proposed project. The applications will be assessed and ranked with a range of criteria including objectives, teamwork, WUN advantage, breadth of impact and project sustainability.

Timeline

Each WUN member can submit a maximum of 2 applications (our faculty as principal investigators) per year.

Applications must first be assessed and approved through an internal review (in early October). Results will be announced by WUN at the end of December. For successful applicants, award funds in GBP will be deposited in February the following year and should be expended within 12 months. Any funds unspent at the conclusion of the 12-month award period may be recalled by WUN.

Download descriptions/guidelines WUN Research Development Fund 2023 (PDF).

How to Apply

Should you express interest in submitting a proposal, we kindly request that you diligently complete the requisite documentation provided below and promptly return it by submitting the documents to the following web address: https://ord.ncku.edu.tw/news-394.html . For any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Patrice Tsai via e-mail at z11109071@ncku.edu.tw or by phone at extension number 50921. 

• Download Application form
• Download Program budget
• CV of the principal investigator (1 page max) with URL links to partner investigators
• Letter of support (Application for PI must submit the letter of support for the team members)

The internal application will remain open until Monday, 25th, September. Subsequently, all applications will be thoroughly reviewed by the committee members of NCKU, and the outcome will be announced by mid-October 2023. The selected teams will then be recommended to WUN for further evaluation. We kindly emphasize that any submissions received after the deadline will regrettably not be considered.

The University will allocate subsidies to the approved projects in accordance with the funding availability of the annual research funding budget.  
We eagerly anticipate the submission of your application. If you have any inquiries or require further information regarding the RDF, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

To discuss potential collaboration with other WUN partners, please contact the NCKU’s WUN Coordinators for more information:

Ms. Wen Chen (em50902@email.ncku.edu.tw)