WUN Research Development Fund

UQ has recently joined as a member of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) comprising 24 members across the globe.

Applications are now closed.

The WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) offers grants of up to £10,000 (approximately $21,000 AUD) for a one-year period to foster research collaborations among academic staff and faculty at WUN member universities.

These grants are intended to help stimulate larger collaborative projects that will strengthen the WUN community. Successful proposals often lead to influential publications and enhance the competitiveness of research teams in securing major external funding.

WUN RDF 2025 focus

In line with the WUN Strategic Plan 2023-2026, the WUN encourages proposals that address problems in one or more of the following areas within the context of sustainable development:

• Social justice and human rights; inequality

• Sustainable world: cities and urbanization; energy transitions; water; and food security

• Mental health; child and maternal health; and ageing

• Responsible and ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence.

Eligibility criteria

The RDF is open to faculty academic staff at WUN member universities.

A project must engage at least three WUN member universities across at least two regions. Projects may include non-WUN universities and external partners but must have an active core of WUN member universities.

Projects led by early career researchers are especially encouraged. 

Further details on eligibility criteria are available in the guidelines. 

In the past, awards made from the RDF required matching support from the applicants’ home universities. Matching cash contributions are encouraged but are not required and will not factor in the review. Please note that Global Partnerships does not provide match-funding.

How to apply

1. Interested staff must submit a 'UQ Internal Proposal form' covering all sections of the application criteria (as per guidelines) by the internal closing date of Monday 15 September 2025 (12pm AEST). The Global Strategy and Partnerships (GSP) team is responsible for administering and overseeing the process only. Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss submissions well in advance, especially if seeking advice about other WUN member institutions.
2. Proposals will then be reviewed by an internal UQ panel and selected on or before Friday 26 September 2025. 
3. Up to 2 proposals will be selected and invited to submit a full application through the WUN application portal by the closing date of Friday 17 October 2025 by 9pm (UK time).

As this is the first time UQ has participated in this funding call, the local process above will be reviewed and may be adapted for future calls.