OAL The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

WUN Research Development Fund for 2012

The Office of Academic Links (OAL) is now inviting applications for the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) Research Development Fund (RDF) for 2012. WUN is an exclusive network of 18 research-led universities across nine countries; CUHK joined the Network in 2011 as its first member university in Hong Kong.

RDF offers seeding fund to kick start research projects under four key areas of research identified as the Global Challenges, including "Adapting to Climate Change", "Globalisation of Higher Education and Research", "Public Health and Non-Communicable Diseases", and "Understanding Cultures". Grants are offered to selected international research collaborations which demonstrate potential in the longer term to become self-sustaining by securing external funding.

The following highlights the terms of award and application procedures of the RDF.

Terms of award

An award of up to £15,000 will be offered to each selected project from an overall fund of over £200,000 in 2012.
An award from the RDF will be matched by funding (up to the value awarded by WUN) provided by the University (only for projects led by CUHK).
Awarded funding must be expended within 12 months. Any unspent funds at the conclusion of the 12-month award period may be recalled by WUN.
Awardees will be required to submit a report to WUN at the conclusion of the 12-month award period and a second report four years after the date of the award.

Application (Deadline: 4 October 2012)

Important: Interested applicants are advised to contact Ms. Yvonne Heung, Office of Academic Links, before making an application.

Applications that involve CUHK as Principal Investigator are invited.
The proposed projects may include exploratory research initiatives, targeted workshops, faculty exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks, among other activities. Applications that incorporate a research mobility component for early career researchers and postgraduate students are encouraged.
The projects must involve at least three WUN member universities and should span at least two geographical regions. The collaboration can include non-WUN universities and external partners but must have an active core of WUN member universities.

Review and Selection

All applications will be internally reviewed and approved by the University prior to submission to WUN. A maximum of three submissions will be accepted from each WUN member university as the lead university; however a university may be involved in any number of applications as a co-investigator.
Applications will be assessed and ranked by a selection committee made up of at least two members of the WUN Academic Advisory Group and the Chief Executive.
The results will be announced before 11 January 2013.

To download the application forms, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/oal/linkage/fellowships/11025.html.