Glasgow's Global Partnership Fund (IPDF)

For 2025/26 there will be one round of funding, the IPDF-Research Seed Fund will support joint research activities with the named partners below.

The online application is not yet open but you can start to prepare your application now using the information below.

International collaboration is a core value for the University of Glasgow. For 2025/26 we are launching a refreshed model of the International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF), one that is more focused on research, designed specifically to support joint research initiatives with our existing international partners.

The new funding model, piloted earlier in 2025, is built around a simple idea: to directly fund collaborative research projects that not only advance academic knowledge but also deliver real-world impact.

This change also aligns our funding approach with the models many of our partners already use, we aim to create a seamless, complementary mechanism that supports both parties in the collaboration.

IPDF-Research Seed Fund:

  • Designed to deepen existing research relationships with named partners,
  • Requires pre-application agreement with the international partner,
  • Up to £5000 plus £5000 match funding,
  • Initial stage of a research application,
  • Specific list of partners.

Expected outcome
The funding should be used to develop joint research activity and identify external funding opportunities with the aim of applying for an external award and/or publishing joint papers or other joint research output.

All applications require 50% match funding support from your School/College or Service.

Who is it for?
The IPDF is for University of Glasgow staff. It is not suitable for PhD students.

The most successful applicants discuss ideas in advance so that their aims align with the School/College and/or with the region. We encourage you to contact the relevant Dean for Global Engagement, as well as your local internationalisation contacts (see below) whilst drafting your application.

Funding available?
Up to a maximum of £5000 plus 50% match funding support from your school or college, please refer below for details on the approval process.  The maximum project cost is £10,000 and this must include the match funding. Applications should show in detail how the funding will be allocated.

When? The research seed fund is in year funding and so successful recipients must complete the activity before the end of July. Funding cannot be carried over to the next financial year.

What is it for?
Following a succcessful pilot, for 2025/26 the IPDF will focus on Research Seed Funding, is a strand which seeks to deepen relationships with existing international partners by facilitating the development of joint research activity. Colleagues are encouraged to consider opportunities for research development with academic contacts from our list of priority partners (list below). 

For 2025/2026 there will be one round of funding. 

Notes

The IPDF - Research Seed Fund is for University of Glasgow staff. It is not suitable for PhD students.

Applicants should read the IPDF privacy notice

All successful applicants must complete a progress report and, if requested, provide additional information to be used as a case study for the webpages.

No new IPDF applications will be considered until previous progress reports are completed.

Contact

Any questions please email externalrelations-partnershipfunding@glasgow.ac.uk

The Deans for Global Engagement may also be able to help with any regional questions.

Further support

For the latest travel advice please check the University's Travel Safety and Overseas work page.

IPDF priority international partners

IPDF - Research Seed Funding, seeks to deepen relationships with existing international partners by promoting the development of joint research activity with the list of priority international partners below. 

The IPDF - Research Seed Fund will support staff undertaking research development work with one of our pre-identified international partners (see list below). The funding can be used to deepen collaborations which have the potential to lead to externally funded grant awards and joint research publications.

As part of the application you will need to provide evidence of support from your international partner.

IPDF priority international partners

The Americas

McGill University, Canada
McMaster University, Canada (U21)
Northeastern, USA
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (U21)
Tecnológico de Monterrey (U21)
The Smithsonian Institution, USA
UC Davis, USA (U21)
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil
University of Connecticut (UConn), USA (U21)
University of Denver, USA
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA (U21)
University of Maryland, USA (U21)
University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean

Europe
Aarhus University, Denmark (GUILD)
Aix-Marseille Université, France (CIVIS)
Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania (GUILD)
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany (CIVIS)
Ghent University, Belgium (GUILD)
Jagiellonian University, Poland (GUILD)
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
KU Leuven, Belgium (U21)
Lund University, Sweden (U21)
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), Ukraine
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria (CIVIS)
Pompeu Fabra University, Spain (GUILD)
Radboud University, Netherlands (GUILD)
Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy (CIVIS)
Stockholm University, Sweden (CIVIS)
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Greece (CIVIS)
The University of Bern, Switzerland (GUILD)
University of Bologna (GUILD)
University of Göttingen, Germany (GUILD)
University of Groningen, Netherlands (GUILD)
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (GUILD)
University of Oslo, Norway (GUILD)
University of Tartu, Estonia (GUILD)
University of Tübingen, Germany (CIVIS/GUILD)
University of Vienna, Austria (GUILD)
UCLouvain, Belgium (GUILD)
Université de Lausanne, Switzerland (CIVIS)
Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium (CIVIS)
Université Paris Cité, France (GUILD)
Université PSL, France (GUILD)
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain (CIVIS)
University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland (U21)
University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (U21)
University of Bucharest, Romania (CIVIS)
University of Zurich, Switzerland (U21)
Uppsala University, Sweden (GUILD)

East Asia
Fudan University, Japan (U21)
Korea University, Korea (U21)
Nankai University, China (TNE partner)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, (SJTU), China (U21)
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), China (TNE partner)
University of Hong Kong (U21)
Waseda University, Japan (U21) 

Middle East and North Africa
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), Saudi Arabia
Université Hassan II de Casablanca, Morocco (CIVIS African partner)
Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Morocco (ARUA)
University of Sfax, Tunisia (CIVIS African partner)

Central and South Asia
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, IISER Pune, India
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), India  
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, India
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, India
O.P. Jindal Global University, India
University of Delhi, India (U21)

South-east Asia and Australasia
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
National University of Singapore (U21)
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore (TNE partner)
UNSW Sydney, Australia (U21)
Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia (U21)
University of Auckland, New Zealand (U21)
University of Indonesia
University of Malaya
University of Melbourne, Australia (U21)
University of Queensland, Australia (U21)
University of Sydney, Australia (U21)

Sub-Saharan Africa
Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique (CIVIS) 
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana (ARUA)
Makerere University, Uganda (CIVIS African partner/ARUA)
Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria (ARUA)
Rhodes University, South Africa (ARUA)
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal (CIVIS African partner/ARUA)
Université de Kinshasa, DR Congo
University of Cape Coast, Ghana (ARUA)
University of Cape Town, South Africa (ARUA)
University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (ARUA)
University of Ghana, Ghana (ARUA)
University of Ibadan, Nigeria (ARUA)
University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa (U21)
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (ARUA)
University of Lagos, Nigeria (ARUA)
University of Mauritius, Mauritius (ARUA)
University of Nairobi, Kenya (ARUA)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria (ARUA)
University of Pretoria, South Africa (ARUA)
University of Rwanda (ARUA)
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa (ARUA)
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa (CIVIS African partner/ARUA) 

In addition

We will consider applications for work with universities that have recently participated in an institutional visit

If you wish to collaborate with a university not included on the list, please provide evidence of a proven track record and research synergies with the proposed partner. Ensure that you discuss your plans at the college level and secure college-level support prior to submitting your application.

Start to prepare your application

The application for IPDF - Research Seed Funding will be online and will open over the summer. In the meantime, you can start to prepare your application now.

During the application you will be required to provide the following:
  • Evidence of match funding - this could be from your own funds, your school or college
  • School (Head of School) / Service support
  • College (usually College International Dean) / Directorate support
  • Evidence of support from the partner
  • General funds budget code for the transfer.
Application questions

The application will be online but feel free to start to drafting your application in advance. To help with this, the main application sections/questions are below. Particular attention will be paid to section 3 'Project objectives'. 

  1. UofG applicant details - details of you and any other UofG staff involved in the project.

  2. Partner support
    1. Name of partner institution.
    2. Name, title and department of your co-lead at partner institution(s).
    3. Details of any pre-existing collaboration or contact to date with your project co-lead.
    4. Has the partner indicated any financial support or in-kind support, e.g. help with accommodation or workspace/lab space.
    5. Please provide evidence of partner support. This can be a letter or email where your academic contact / project co-lead state that they are aware you are submitting this application and commit to participate in the proposed project, if successful.

  3. Project objectives
    1. Details of proposed activity (500 words) - Please clearly outline measurable objectives and how these will be achieved in the time available.
    2. List any long-term project aims (where possible, include dates) and the measures of success for this project. E.g. grant applications, joint research projects, planned conference presentations, co-publications etc.
    3. Are there any specific calls for proposals you are currently targeting? Please also indicate if you are aware of any other potential funders you may apply to.
    4. What story would you like to be able to tell about the collaboration after your proposed activity has taken place? Briefly describe the proposed project activity in the way that a non-specialist can understand (maximum 100 words).
    5. Estimated timeline of activity funded by IPDF (please note that in-year funding, therefore it must be spent before end of July 2026).

  4. Breakdown of costs
    1. Have you previously received funding from the IPD Fund? If so, when and with what partner? If you have had previous a IPDF award with the same partner, how does this new project differ from the previously funded work?
    2. Costings. Please provide a breakdown of how the funding will be used. (include a budget breakdown with itemisation of funds requested. E.g. travel costs, accommodation costs, extras etc.).
    3. Total costs.
    4. How much is being requested from the IPDF? The IPDF supports a maximum of 50% of total costs.
    5. Please indicate where any UofG match funding is coming from (must total at least 50% contribution of funds).
    6. Please provide a local School/Service General Funds Project code for the transfer of the central IPDF funds.

  5. UofG support
    1. Evidence of School/Service support, e.g. Name and title of Head of School or the School research lead.
    2. Comments from School in support of the application.
    3. Evidence of College/Head of Service support (mandatory).
    4. Comments from College/Director of service in support of the application (mandatory).

  6. Privacy notice
    Consent to the processing of personal data.

You can use the draft Word version to help you prepare your application:

Timeline and college contacts

Timeline

Note that we are unable to fund applications for work that falls outside of the timeline below.

  • 20 June - applicants can start to prepare applications
  • Summer 2025 - online application launch
  • August 2025 - draft applications, gather partner support and School/College approval * 
  • 1 September - applications close 
  • September to early October - review process and panel 
  • Mid-October - applicants notified of results
  • End of October - funding transferred 
  • November to 31 July - IPDF research seed funding activity must take place within this timeframe as it is in-year funding, i.e. we are unable to carry funding across to the next financial year.

University support

Any applications that do not include evidence of College support and match funding support will not be considered.

* Do not leave applications until the last moment as you must allow enough time for our application to be reviewed by your School and College. As part of the application the online form will be sent to the contacts below so they can review and provide evidence of support.

However, you may want to approach the contacts below in advance so that they are aware of your application.

IPDF criteria (including funding and travel)

Applicants

  • Applicants 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.
  • Funding will not cover payments for research assistance.

Funding

  • Applications should not exceed £10,000 (this includes match funding). Please outline your budget as clearly as possible, it is unusual for applications to be awarded the maximum amount.
  • Please budget carefully and realistically, the amount awarded is fixed and no further transfers will be made.
  • You must provide a general funds project code as part of the application. 
  • The funding is in-year funding, therefore it must be spent before 31 July. 

Travel

  • Staff are responsible for arranging their own travel following the latest University guidelines.
  • Note that External Relations will make the initial transfer of the funding. The applicant must is then responsible for the allocation of the funding, including the arrangement of travel.
  • Once you receive the decision, please arrange your travel as soon as possible as we cannot provide any uplift of funding if there are increased costs.
  • To ensure that as many applications as possible are funded, the IPDF will support economy class or rail travel (or related costs for support of projects). If an applicant wants to upgrade their travel then they must budget this separately, not as part of an IPDF application.
  • The IPDF won't cover conference fees at all, whether in Glasgow or overseas. We can support travel for meetings to take forward research projects but not attendance at conferences.
  • All applicants should refer to the University's sustainable travel guidance.
  • All bookings must be made via the University travel agency. 

Please follow the latest University travel advice and be sure to arrange insurance. You should fill in the free University of Glasgow Travel Insurance form online.  Further details on the University’s travel insurance can be found here. 

Progress reports and case studies

Progress report

All successful applicants must complete an online IPDF progress report to update on the project and the specific and measurable success metrics and objectives in the initial application.

Progress reports will be shared with the relevant Dean for Global Engagement and the College International Dean. All reports are uploaded on the  International Funding Sharepoint site.

2023/2024 progress report

2024/2025 progress report

In addition, you may be asked to provide progress reports to the Dean for Global Engagement and to the Business Development Managers at your college at regular intervals throughout the year, this could include participating at events to promote the fund.

If you have an outstanding progress report from a previous round, you may not apply for further funding.

Case studies

By applying you are agreeing that we may use your experience as a case study on our web pages. Any additional materials, such as images, social media mentions, or videos, would be greatly appreciated.

We will look favourably on applications that address how you plan to communicate your project.