FIMPES–UQ Joint Research Seed Fund Program

Following assessment, seed funding will be awarded to up to two research teams. 

Each team will receive a total of USD $10,000, co-funded equally by:

• USD $5,000 contributed by FIMPES; and
• USD $5,000 contributed by UQ.

Eligible Expenses

Funds are intended to cover costs that facilitate collaboration, such as travel expenses and other project development activities. Projects that can demonstrate co-funding (cash or in-kind) from the home institution or external sources will be viewed favourably, provided such support is clearly documented and does not duplicate costs or create a conflict of interest.

Project timelines should be clearly outlined and must not exceed 12 months from the project start date.

Allowable expenses include:

• international or domestic travel directly related to collaboration;
• accommodation and local transport; 
• workshops, symposia, or planning meetings;
• modest costs associated with hosting collaborative activities;
• publication or dissemination costs directly related to the collaboration. Non-allowable expenses include:
• salaries or salary supplementation;
• scholarships, stipends, or tuition fees;
• major research equipment;
• indirect or overhead costs;
• routine computing equipment (e.g. laptops, printers).

For grant conditions please refer to the 'Call for Proposals' under Key resources. 

To support effective team formation and manage the scale of applications across the FIMPES network, the call will be conducted through a two-phase process. 

Phase 1 – Expression of Interest (FIMPES-managed) 

PLEASE NOTE: Phase 1 is open exclusively to researchers from FIMPES member institutions and will be managed by FIMPES in accordance with its internal processes. This phase serves as an initial expression of interest and enables FIMPES to assess the feasibility and strategic alignment of proposed collaborations before progressing to the next stage.

Phase 2 – Full Proposal (jointly managed by FIMPES and UQ) 

Phase 2 is open only to FIMPES applications shortlisted through Phase 1. During this phase, FIMPES applicants will seek to form project teams with UQ researchers to jointly submit funding proposals.

Each team must include:

• one Lead Investigator from a FIMPES member institution; and
• one Lead Investigator from UQ.

Following team formation, applicants will be required to submit a full proposal with more detailed project information, including researcher profiles, proposed activities, methodology, expected outcomes, along with a completed budget document and a clear budget justification. Phase 2 proposals will be jointly assessed by FIMPES and UQ. See templates and application forms under key resources. 

FIMPES member institutions and UQ may, where helpful and subject to capacity, support team development through facilitation and introductions to strengthen collaboration quality and achieve balanced participation across institutions and researchers. However, researchers at each institution are encouraged to reach out to counterparts directly in the first instance.

Intellectual Property (IP) arising from activities supported by this seed fund will be managed in accordance with the existing policies of each participating institution. Where required, project-specific agreements may be developed and agreed prior to the commencement of funded activities.

Applicants must clearly outline the aims, proposed activities and expected outcomes of the project and ensure all criteria are addressed. Proposals will be jointly evaluated by multidisciplinary, multi-faculty Selection Committees at FIMPES and UQ against the criteria outlined below. Final selections will be reviewed by the FIMPES delegate and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships), UQ.

Assessment Criteria

Compliant applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Alignment with Strategic Priority Areas: The extent to which the proposed project aligns with one or more of the identified strategic research domains under this call and demonstrates relevance to the shared priorities of FIMPES member institutions and UQ.
• Academic Quality and Potential Impact: The academic quality of the proposed collaboration and its potential to lead to meaningful academic or societal impact and profiling. Where appropriate, consideration will be given to interdisciplinary approaches and the inclusion of early-career researchers or students.
• Innovation: The extent to which the project will contribute to novel thinking and creative outcomes that create value.
• Outcomes and Sustainability: The likelihood that the project will lead to long-term research relationships and generate ongoing collaboration. Expected outcomes may include publications, exhibitions, grant proposals, clinical interventions, technological innovations, enhanced networks, and research-based seminars, conferences or workshops.
• Partnership: How the research will be shared with broader academic communities as well as promote and consolidate the relationship between the participating FIMPES institutions and UQ.

Results

Successful applicants will receive a letter of confirmation from their home institution (FIMPES or UQ) and an Acceptance of Award letter, which must be signed and returned by the due date.

Awardees are responsible for managing project funds, reporting on expenditures, and facilitating the sharing of funds with their partner Lead Investigator and team members where required. Completed award agreement documents must be submitted to the relevant institution before the project can commence.