Global Research Fund

A scheme to receive seed funding support

The Global Research Fund supports LSE academics in their collaborations with their international peers

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The Global Research Fund (GRF) is an institution-wide scheme supporting collaborative endeavours between LSE faculty and their nominated international research partners. 

The Global Research Fund provides targeted support for researchers seeking to establish international research links or furthering existing links. The scheme acts as a seed fund to enable LSE researchers to initiate and carry out collaborative research activities that facilitate joint research output and future international grant applications. 

The scheme is co-administrated by the Global Academic Engagement team in Philanthropy and Global Engagement (PAGE) and the Research Development team in Research and Innovation, with support from LSE's Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research). 

Example activities include but are not limited to:

  • Joint research development activities that often do not receive financial support at the earliest stages, e.g. on-site meetings, seminars, workshops;
  • Inbound and outbound visits as part of reciprocal agreement; Invited lectures and seminars to establish contacts between groups and individuals;
  • New network membership that further raises the departmental/institutional international profile;
  • Services used to promote, disseminate and raise the profile of research to international audiences.

The fund will particularly welcome applications that can demonstrate a track record of collaboration or include a plan that outlines the sustainability of the proposed partnership beyond the initial funding phase. Preference will also be given to applications that will receive partial contributions from the partner institution and/or hosting academic unit. Applications will be assessed by an expert panel formed by senior LSE faculty. 

Download the GRF application form here.

The Global Academic Engagement Team are pleased to announce that the second call for 2023-24 Global Research Fund is now open. The deadline is 5pm, 26 April 2024.

Funding

The GRF can be used as a top-up fund to any existing funding provision (please include details on secure funding in the application form). The GRF uses a tiered award system to recognise applications of different sizes. Eligible costs associated with each tier are shown below. Please note these tiers are suggestions only and we endeavour to consider applications on an individual basis. 

For the second round of GRF call, the panel seek to award up to six projects across the two tiers listed below:

  • Tier 1 (up to £5,000): to cover research visit to international partner institutions (LSE lead applicant only), or vice versa for partner institution PI, typically for no longer than five calendar days.
  • Tier 2 (up to £2,500, only applicable to current and previous GRF awardees): to provide additional funding support to further build on collaborative projects that are currently underway and seeking to expand in research scope and/or collaborative partners.

Funds can only be spent on activities that fit the purpose of this call.  Applicants should itemise their budget using the tables in the application form.  

Eligibility

The call is open to all colleagues employed in roles listed in the LSE role profiles page. Applicants should ideally have a contract of employment at LSE in place until 31 July 2025 or are able to demonstrate in their application that they have links with LSE over the years and into the future, in order to ensure that post-award assessment and regular communications can be carried out for all awarded projects.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted to Global@lse.ac.uk. Only applications submitted to this e-mail address before the deadline will be considered. 

One proposal per Principal Applicant per call is permitted. 

Applications must be completed on the template provided and within the page limit stated.

Note for applicants: the Global Academic Engagement Team will acknowledge all submissions with a personalised reply. If you have not heard from the GAE team within two working days after your submission, please re-send your application.

Reporting

Successful applicants will be asked to submit a short post-award report to summarise the activity, achieved outcomes and provide a future collaboration plan. The Global Academic Engagement team may contact successful applicants to co-create case studies after the award. 

Deadlines

  • Deadline for the 2nd call for submission of applications: 5pm, 26 April 2024
  • All receipts for expenses must be submitted by 5pm, 20 December 2024

Global Research Fund Panel

We work with a comprehensive panel of senior faculty members from different areas across LSE to review applications and provide expert advice. The panel members are (surname A-Z):