UCL – University of Sydney Strategic Ignition Grants

The Ignition Grants support joint initiatives to strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities as well as develop multi-disciplinary innovative research to create academic and societal impact.

As strategic partners, the University of Sydney (Sydney) and the Office of Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) at University College London (UCL) are committed to achieving impact through collaboration in research and education.

Project

These grants are designed to provide researchers, in particular Early- and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR), with the opportunity to work with our strategic partner in developing joint research projects. For the purposes of this award, Early-Career Researchers are defined as those <10 years of award of their PhD. Mid-Career Researchers are defined as those between 10-15 years of award of their PhD.  

Proposals must demonstrate how projects will deliver innovative outputs tailored to the activities proposed and provide a platform for sustained, scaled-up collaboration between UCL and Sydney beyond the funding period, including applications for external grants. 

Each project must be co-led by a Chief (Principal) Investigator from Sydney and one from UCL, and should involve a wider team of participants from both institutions. This can include PhD, Masters or research students. 

Eligibility

• Proposals are invited from academic staff from all disciplines at the University of Sydney and University College London, and their affiliated Research Centres and Institutes. Proposals must fall within the fields of Health, Nanotechnology, and Quantum. 

• Proposals which seek to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are highly encouraged. 

• Applicants from affiliated Research Centres and Institutes must be University Title Holders. 

• Chief (Principal) Investigators 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. 

• Higher Degree Research students and research assistants/associates are not eligible to apply as Chief Investigators, but they are encouraged to join the applications as Collaborators. 

Value 

A maximum of three proposals will be awarded from this Grant. Each awarded proposal will receive up to AUD$20,000 from the University of Sydney and £10,000 from University College London, for a total of AUD$40,000/£20,000 per project, to support collaboration activities. 

Timeline

How to apply

1. Download a copy of the full guidance and read it carefully for full submission details. (pdf)

2. All applications must be jointly developed by a Chief (Principal) Investigator from Sydney and a Chief (Principal) Investigator from UCL. 

3. Deadline for application: BST: 13 October 2025, 11:59pm / AEST: 14 October 2025, 9:59am 

4. Download a preview copy of the questions, including the online application form (including budget). (pdf)
5. All applications must be submitted online via the University of Sydney Funding Schemes Site.
6. Applications can only be initiated by the Chief Investigator from Sydney using their UniKey and password. Chief Investigators from UCL can then access and edit the applications once invited by Sydney Chief Investigators to be a “Collaborator” on the application. 

7. Only complete submissions will be considered. 

8. Late applications will not be considered. 

Ethical approval and due diligence 

Please check UCL’s guidelines regarding research ethics. Applicants are responsible for reading these guidelines and ensuring projects adhere to UCL’s ethical approval policy and process. You should also consider if your activity may be subject to export controls. If you are unsure if your project meets these guidelines or have been denied ethical approval, please contact UCL Global Engagement as soon as possible (UCLglobalengagement@ucl.ac.uk) to discuss this.  

UCL’s ethical guidelines and information on export controls can be found here: 

• Research Ethics Committee at UCL guidelines  
• Overseas Research Roadmap 
• Export Controls  

We strongly advise applicants to undertake proportionate and appropriate due diligence, relative to the stage and scope of the research collaboration, before collaborating with global partners and travelling overseas. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. 

Contact 

For any clarification points or questions about the joint call, please do not hesitate to contact the colleagues listed below: