Framework for Funding of Joint Initiatives

Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

and

The University of British Columbia, Canada

Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) and The University of British Columbia (UBC) have agreed that as part of their Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI), both will contribute to a fund for the first two years of the SPI, which may with mutual agreement be extended beyond the initial two years.

Objectives

The joint funding scheme is designed to develop close collaboration and deliver on the intent of the SPI. The funding is designed to enable FUB and UBC faculty and researchers to identify complementary strengths, leverage synergy, and promote the development of outstanding future research projects and other academic opportunities.

The funding is intended, among others, for the following:

  • Intensive research and /or academic workshops
  • Short-term research stays (for both young and established researchers)
  • Research-oriented teaching opportunities (e.g. short intensive seminars)

Funding

The joint funding scheme has an annual budget of EURO 60,000 per year, for each of the two years. Each party will contribute EURO 30,000 / CAD$ 44,000 each year and commit to encouraging faculty and academic staff to seek funding for joint projects from this fund.

Accessing the Fund

Faculty and Academic Staff wishing to access funding should do so by submitting a written project proposal. The successful proposal MUST contain:

  • A clearly articulated 2 – 4 page description of the project; the participants (listing participants from both FUB and UBC); the motivation for the collaboration; synergy; the short- and long-term objectives and anticipated outcomes, including - if appropriate - how future funding may be raised for the initiative (such as joint grant applications to external funding agencies, foundations etc.).
  • Third party participation (i.e. from non-university research institutes) is welcome and encouraged; however, any such third party must bring matching funding to the initiative.
  • An application must further contain:
  • A letter of support from the applicant’s Faculty/Department
  • A letter of support from the SPI party’s Faculty/Department
  • A detailed budget
  • A detailed time-line

Note: Applications should, to the degree possible, include a teaching component, such as a lecture, compact seminar, or workshop open to students at the hosting university.

Proposals must be addressed to both FUB and UBC to the addressees listed at the end of this document and must be jointly submitted by one or more participants from each of FUB and UBC. The project PIs should hold a tenure-track /permanent position at UBC and FUB.

Eligible expense budget items include:

  • travel costs (economy class airfare only)
  • hotel costs
  • per diems
  • hosting (meeting rooms, food and beverage, etc.)
  • workshop or seminar materials (hand-outs, etc.)

All eligible expenses MUST occur within 180 days of the date of the application.

There is no minimum or maximum funding-level requirement for an application.

Only at UBC, the granting of funds from this initiative will be contingent on matching funds from Faculties or Departments wishing to participate in the scheme.

Selection Criteria and Deadlines:

Seed money funding for joint activities will be provided on a competitive basis. Projects will be selected by a Joint FUB-UBC Committee. Key criteria will be in the area: well articulated short- and long-term collective benefit to both FUB and UBC; realistic future funding models, where applicable; benefit to current and future students at the two universities.

Applications will be evaluated several times per year.

Applications must be received by the addressee before the following deadlines:

1st of December, 2014;

1st of February, 2015;

1st of May, 2015;

1st of September, 2015;

1st of December, 2015 and

1st of March, 2016.

While certain decisions may require additional information from the applicants, it is anticipated that a yes/no answer will be delivered to the applicants in 30 days or less from each deadline.

All Joint FUB-UBC Committee decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Applications must be sent electronically (pdf) to:

At FUB:

Matthias Kuder

Center for International Cooperation

t: +49 30 838 73942, e:

At UBC:

Leonel Roldan-Flores

Office of the Vice President, Research and International

t: 604-822.3618, e: