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) 

Phase 1 is open exclusively to researchers from FIMPES member institutions and will be managed by FIMPES in accordance with its internal processes. 

Applicants will be required to submit:

• a brief project concept note; and
• relevant institutional information (See Annex Project concept proposal (Phase 1).

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. The project leader needs to send the Expression of Interest document (See Annex Project concept proposal (Phase 1) to the following email address: seedfunding@fimpes.org.mx.

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

Phase 2 is open only to teams shortlisted through Phase 1. During this phase, FIMPES member institutions and UQ may, where helpful and subject to capacity, support team development through facilitation and introductions, with the aim of strengthening the quality of collaboration and achieving balanced participation across institutions and researchers. 

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. 

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 that all criteria are addressed. Proposals will be jointly evaluated by multi-disciplinary, multi-faculty Selection Committees at FIMPES and UQ based on 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 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, among other possibilities, publications, exhibitions, grant proposals, clinical interventions, technological innovations, enhanced networks and/or research-based seminar/conference/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 will receive an Acceptance of Award letter that must be signed and returned by the due date.

Awardees will be responsible for managing project funds, reporting on expenditures, and for facilitating the sharing of funds with their partner Lead Investigator and team members where required. Awardees must submit completed award agreement documents to their respective institutions before the project may begin.