1. Eligibility: Eligibility to submit proposals and for exchange within the scope of this Call: Full-time members of academic or research staff at Imperial College London.

• Only one application per researcher will be accepted.

• It will be assumed that applicants will have received any necessary approval, both at Imperial and USP, to undertake the proposed activity.

2. Fields of Knowledge:

This Call for Proposals invites research proposals in any field of research aligning with the theme of “energy transition for a healthy, sustainable future” at Imperial.

1. Duration of the exchange of researchers:

Exchanges must be at least one month and no longer than three months in duration and must be completed by July 31, 2024. This period is non-extendable.

2. Timeline:

1. Funding principles 

• Imperial College London will provide funding of up to £5,500 per proposal for the duration of the exchange to cover research-related mobility expenses.
• Imperial College London will fund a maximum of five (5) approved proposals.

2. Proposal characteristics for Imperial College London researchers 

All applicants must submit the following: 

• A research exchange proposal having a maximum of five (5) pages of scientific and policy content, written in English. The proposal must include the individual items listed in item 6.3 below.
• The proposal must include the following individual items:
• A description of the activities to be undertaken during the exchange, emphasising their relevance. The proposal must state clearly how these activities are aligned with this call’s theme and how they will contribute to informing evidence-based policy in this area;
• Detailed schedule of the exchange;
• Foreseen actions that will add to the impact of the exchange for Imperial College London and for USP,.;
• Description of how this exchange will contribute to enhanced linkages between Imperial College London and USP and foster competitiveness for future UK-Brazil funding opportunities.
• Successful applicants will be required to translate the latest research in the field, including that advanced during the exchange, into a set of policy recommendations directed at global policymakers in the context of the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil. Support will be available to assist with this stage.

1. Submissions of proposals to Imperial College London 

All application material must be submitted to globalseedfunds@imperial.ac.uk. Please note that only applications submitted to this email address (and not that of the named contact) will be considered

2. Result of the analysis 

• The selection process will be as follows:
• All eligible applications will be considered for funding by the Cross-College Research Proposal Review Group. The Group will rank the proposals based on excellence of research, fit to call, level of policy influence, and potential strategic value of the international partnership (including potential for opportunity to leverage overseas funding).
• Imperial applicants will be informed of the results via email as soon as possible after the review. A formal letter confirming the outcomes will then be sent electronically to the applicant;
• Final results will be announced by means of a communication to the interested PIs at Imperial via email.

3. Contract for selected projects by Imperial College London:

• Selected proposals will be subject to conditions set forth in the letter of award.
• Upon notification of award, Imperial will initiate the Letter of Agreement with USP.

Imperial College London may cancel funding if, during the grant timeframe, a significant event justifies its cancellation in the assessment of the Joint Steering Committee, without prejudice of any other appropriate actions.  

All questions from Imperial College London researchers related to this Call for Proposals must be directed to the International Relations Office at globalseedfunds@imperial.ac.uk.