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UCL and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have launched a joint call to support collaborative research. The fund aims to support initial research links and catalyse long-term partnerships.
Please read the full guidance carefully before preparing your application.
Projects
Funding is available for projects in the following areas:
- Ophthalmology & AI
- Digital Health, medical imaging & multi-modal modelling
- Neuroscience
Other topics are not eligible, though UCL staff may explore alternative small funding via UCL Global Engagement (see contact details in the call document).
Up to six projects will be funded in 2025 to build strong, lasting research links. Proposals should aim to spark new science and future external funding bids. Ambitious collaboration models, like CREATE Centres, are also welcome.
Eligibility
Proposals may include workshops (in person or virtual), symposia, staff exchanges, seminars, and network or innovation-focused activities.
Eligible costs: travel, subsistence, consumables, and project-related research staff (e.g. RAs, ROs, technicians). Co-PIs' time and teaching buyout are not eligible. Costs already covered by other grants cannot be funded.
Each institution funds its own researchers and expenses. Funding is subject to internal policies. Travel must follow each university’s guidelines (NUS Travel Guide; UCL expenses policy).
Value
Each one-year project may request up to £10,000 from UCL and S$17,000 from NUS, with itemised budgets; funds must align with the call’s aims, exclude existing staff time, and follow each institution’s policies and travel guidelines.
Timeline
Call for proposals: 21 May 2025
Deadline for submission of proposal: 11.59 pm Singapore time (4.59 pm BST), 21 June 2025
Communication of Results to applicants: 21 July 2025
Start date of Awards: 1 August 2025
End date of Awards: 31 July 2026
How to apply
Each application must be jointly submitted by one UCL and one NUS Principal Applicant (one proposal per applicant per call). It should include:
- A 2-page case for support outlining recent relevant research, proposed activities, added value, and future funding plans
- An itemised budget using the application template
- 2-page CVs of both PIs
Application Portal
This is a joint call, and an application should be jointly submitted by the UCL and NUS PIs.
Applicants should download a copy of the full guidance and read it carefully.
Applications must be completed on the template provided and within the page limit stated.
As Microsoft Forms only allows people within the organisation to upload files, the NUS PI should upload the joint application and two-page CVs in a single PDF file on behalf of the UCL-NUS team at this before it expires on 21 June 2025, 23:59 Singapore time.
As Microsoft Forms only allows file uploads from people within the organisation, the NUS Principal Investigator must upload the joint application and the two-page CVs as a single PDF file on behalf of the entire UCL–NUS team via this link, before it expires on 21 June 2025, 23:59 Singapore time.
Contact
Please contact your respective institution’s coordinator if you have any queries about this grant:
At UCL:
Dr Amit Khandelwal
Senior Global Engagement Manager, UCL Global Engagement
a.khandelwal@UCL.ac.uk
At the National University of Singapore:
Brenda Lim
Manager, Office of the Deputy President (Research & Technology)
dprbox52@nus.edu.sg
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