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 application form here.
Applications for 2023-24 are now open, please refer to the information below and get in touch with global@lse.ac.uk if you have any questions.
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.
- Tier 1 (up to £500): to cover LSE-led on-campus small event costs, such as venue hire and light catering;
- Tier 2 (up to £1,000): to cover LSE-led on-campus large event costs, such as venue hire, catering, transport, communications and marketing, or visits to European partner institutions (LSE lead applicant only);
- Tier 3 (up to £2,500): to cover visit to international partner institutions (LSE lead applicant only), or vice versa for partner institution PI, usually for no longer than five calendar days.
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.
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.
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 (download the form here) 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.
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.
- Deadline for the submission of applications: 8 January 2024 5pm
- All receipts for expenses must be submitted by 31 July 2024 5pm