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UCL and Korea University (KU) are contributing matching funds to support collaborative education and research initiatives through a joint call for proposals for collaborative activities.
Projects
This call invites proposals for partnership development activity in areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths that will deepen collaboration between UCL and KU. Proposals should be co-led by a Lead Applicant at each institution and can involve a wider team of participants from each institution, as appropriate to the activities proposed.
Proposals from all fields are welcome but those related to the following fields are particularly encouraged:
• Quantum, including quantum health;
• Engineering, particularly in relation to energy and health care engineering;
• The creative industries, including areas relating to media, tech and AI;
• Political Science and Economics;
• Korean Studies.
Up to five joint projects will be selected for funding. Proposals will be assessed by a panel composed of members from both institutions.
• Applications must demonstrate how the proposed activity will provide a platform for longer-term, larger-scale collaboration between UCL and KU in the relevant field, for example, by providing a basis for ongoing joint research and education activity and / or applications to external bodies for research grant funding.
• Following South Korea’s association to Horzion Europe in January 2025, applicants are particularly encouraged to consider how funding available through this fund can be used to provide a platform for applications to calls under Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. In the application form Section 2, applicants should be as specific as possible in outlining next steps, e.g. in identifying the Cluster and call to which they intend to apply, other European partners who may be involved, and providing a broad timeframe.
Eligibility
UCL Applications
Applications are open to UCL staff members with the following roles. Applications from Early Career Researchers, or staff with equivalent professional training, are welcomed:
• Professor or equivalent
• Associate Professor/ Reader or equivalent
• Senior Lecturer/Principal Researcher/Principal Research Associate or equivalent
• Lecturer/Senior Research Associate or equivalent
• Post Doc/Researcher/Research Associate or equivalent
Applicants from UCL must have an open-ended UCL contract or a fixed-term contract which lasts until at least July 2026.
Principal Investigators from UCL should be aware of the rules stipulated in the Partner Funds webpage here.
KU Applications
Applications are open to full-time faculty members at the Seoul Campus and the College of Medicine.
Value
Up to five successful proposals will receive up to approximately £10,000. Funding will be jointly provided by UCL and KU, with 50% going to the academics at each respective institution.
Timeline
Call for Proposals: 12 May 2025
Deadline for submission of proposal: 11:59 pm (UK time) on 13 June 2025
Communication of results to applicants: By the end of July 2025
Start date of Awards: August 2025
How to apply
1. Download a copy of the full guidance and read it carefully.
2. Use the application form.
3. All applications must be jointly developed by a Principal Investigator from UCL and KU.
4. All applications must be submitted online via the UCL portal. Access here.
5. Only complete submissions will be considered.
6. Late applications will not be considered.
Apply now
If you are interested in connecting with a potential research partner at Korea University, please fill in this form.
Contact
If you have any questions about the UCL-KU Strategic Partner Funds, please contact:
At UCL:
Keiko Tsunekawa
Global Engagement Manager
k.tsunekawa@ucl.ac.uk
At Korea University:
Prof. Pureun Kim
International Research Collaboration Center
purnkim@korea.ac.kr
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