UCL – University of Sydney Strategic Ignition Grants

The Ignition Grants are a new initiative to fund collaborative research proposals aimed at developing multidisciplinary cutting-edge research to create academic and social impact.

As strategic partners, the University of Sydney (USyd) and the Office of Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) at University College London (UCL) are committed to achieving impact through collaboration in research and education. 

Project

These grants are designed to provide researchers, in particular Early and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR), with the opportunity to work with our strategic partner in developing joint research projects.

Proposals must demonstrate how projects will deliver innovative outputs tailored to the activities proposed and provide a platform for sustained, scaled-up collaboration between UCL and Sydney beyond the funding period, including applications for external grants. 

Each project must be co-led by a Chief (Principal) Investigator from Sydney and a UCL and should involve a wider team of participants from both institutions. This can include PhD, Masters or research students. 

Applicants must communicate an intention to apply by September 6, 2024. Please provide CI names, the project’s title, and a brief (100-word) summary of the proposed theme and activity in an email to the University of Sydney and UCL programme coordinators (contact details below). Those unable to meet this deadline must request and receive approval before submitting a final application. 

Eligibility

• Proposals are invited from academic staff from all disciplines at the University of Sydney and University College London, and their affiliated Research Centres and Institutes.  
• Projects in the following fields are particularly encouraged:  

1. Infection and immunity

2. Neuroscience 

3. Biomedical engineering 

4. Biotechnology  

5. Nanotechnology 

6. Artificial Intelligence 

• Proposals which seek to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are highly encouraged. 

1. Applicants from affiliated Research Centres and Institutes must be University Title Holders. 
2. Chief (Principal) Investigators must be employed on a full-time, part-time (appointed at least 0.5 FTE), fixed term or continuing basis. If on a fixed-term contract, the end date must be beyond the funding period. 
3. Higher Degree Research students and research assistants/associates are not eligible to apply as Chief Investigators, but they are encouraged to join the applications. 

Value 

Up to five successful proposals will receive up to the equivalent of approximately AUD20,000/£10,000 from each university for a total of AUD40,000/£20,000 for one year to support collaboration activities.

Contact 

At University of Sydney:

Louise Cooper 
Senior Global Research Partnerships Officer 
Office of Global & Research Engagement 
Email: ip.ipdf@sydney.edu.au  

At UCL:

Abel Dorantes
Global Engagement Manager
Global Engagement Office
Email: abel.dorantes@ucl.ac.uk

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