The Global Partnership Development Fund (GPDF) supports the development and strengthening of LSE’s international partnerships through a wide range of non-research activities. Managed by the International Strategy and Academic Partnerships team, the fund is designed to catalyse strategic, sustainable, and mutually beneficial collaborations with institutions around the world.
We welcome applications from both academic faculty and Professional Services staff. Whether you're looking to initiate a new partnership, deepen an existing one, or explore innovative forms of collaboration, the GPDF can help make it happen.
We take a broad view of what partnership development can look like. Examples of eligible activities include:
- Exploratory visits to potential or existing partner institutions to build relationships and identify areas for collaboration.
- Development of new collaborative teaching initiatives, such as double master's degrees.
- Support for Professional Services staff to connect with peers abroad, particularly where doing so would foster operational collaboration with existing or developing partnerships.
- Annual review meetings with existing double degree partners, held in person to strengthen institutional ties.
- Engagement with strategic alliances and networks LSE is part of, through joint initiatives or responses to external opportunities.
If you are unsure whether your idea fits, we encourage you to be in touch. If it builds or strengthens a partnership, it is likely to be in scope.
If your initiative involves creating a new institutional partnership, it should be discussed with our team using the designated Partnership Initiation form (LSE staff log-in required) in the first instance. New partnerships are subject to approval by relevant LSE Committee(s) such as SMC.
Applications are now open. Get in touch with global@lse.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Funding for each application is up to £3,500 (up to £1,500 for European partners). Applicants are advised to investigate available funding through CIVICA in the first instance, when collaborating with CIVICA partners in Europe.
The GPDF usually requires minimum 20% match funding support (factored into the submitted budget) from Department, Centre or Institute at LSE.
All LSE faculty and PS staff with a formal, full-time affiliation with at least one department, centre and institute are eligible to apply.
In principle, one applicant can only submit one application per year. However, unsuccessful applicants from a previous round are welcome to submit a revised application in the following round, pending funds availability.
Applicants must apply for the fund using the downloadable GPDF application form. Applications will be assessed by a committee chaired by the Executive Director of the International Strategy and Academic Partnerships team with oversight from the Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education).
In reaching decisions on which projects to fund, the panel will take into account:
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The expected strategic value of the proposal in establishing or deepening the relationship between LSE and the partner institution.
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The quality and feasibility of the proposed project and the accuracy of the proposed budget.
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The strength of supporting statements from the LSE Head of Department (or Institute/Centre Director) and from the key contact from the partner institution (the lead academic and/or equivalent of the Head of Department).
Travel
Please note that the ISAP team does not arrange travel or any accommodation. This will be the responsibility of each applicant. An application cannot be made retrospectively.
Please follow the latest School travel advice, review the School’s Travel Policy here and ensure all health and safety requirements and risk assessments have been completed prior to the proposed travel.
To enable flexibility in planning and travelling, the GPDF is reviewed on a monthly basis or until the budget has been depleted. Early applications are encouraged.
Submission deadline: 6 February 2026, 5pm