WUN is pleased to announce that the Research Development Fund (RDF) 2020 round is now open. In its twelfth year, the RDF provides researchers at member universities with grants of up to £10,000 to foster research collaborations across the network.
WUN Research Development Fund 2020: Sustainable Recovery
As the world approaches investment in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing attention is being paid to doing this in ways that will be sustainable, which is aligned with WUN’s strategic goals and focus on sustainable development. This presents the network with a unique opportunity to initiate projects that anticipate the major investments that will be made over the coming years, and enlarge the impact and global recognition of WUN.
Following discussion within and among the Global Challenge Steering Groups, the RDF 2020 theme is Sustainable Recovery. We encourage proposals that address this within the context of one or more of the six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals indicated in the RDF 2020 Guidelines.
“The RDF helps investigators launch collaborative projects that capitalize on distinctive research strengths within WUN,” said Peter Lennie, Executive Director of WUN. “The diversity of the network enables it to bring unrivalled constellations of talent to bear on recovery from the pandemic.”
In the 2019 Round WUN awarded over £150,000 to support 15 projects that began early this year. Notably, all 23 WUN member universities were represented on awarded projects research teams.
Since 2009 the WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) has directly invested over £2 million to establish research projects on problems of global significance, and on which member universities, working together, can make real progress.
The RDF is open only to researchers at WUN member universities, and proposals must be endorsed by the local WUN Academic Advisory Group member.
Applications must be completed on our online application portal by Friday, 23 October 2020 at 17.00 GMT. Please note, however, that each university has its own internal deadlines. If you are considering submitting a proposal you should first contact your local WUN Coordinator.
For more information visit the Research Development Fund page.
