The UTS Global Partnerships team recently announced that the 2025 Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund round is now open, with grants of up to £10,000 (approximately A$21,000) available for innovative international research collaborations.
Apply for funding from the Worldwide Universities Network
The Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund 2025 focus areas are:
- social justice and human rights
- sustainable world: cities and urbanisation, energy transition, water and food security
- mental health, child and maternal health, ageing
- ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr Arnick Abdollahi, a researcher at the UTS TD School whose work spans the fields of space science, informatics, AI and environmental science, was a recipient of a grant from the Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund in 2024.
Speaking at the Research Café, Arnick said he used the opportunity to build international collaboration towards developing an AI driven sensing model to enhance farm management and sustainability as he explained in last week’s Research Café.
This funding enabled me to lead an international team with research input from the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada.
“I'm already working with amazing universities, industries and organisations in Australia. As an Earlier Career Researcher, having opportunities to work internationally helps you expand your collaboration and research networks,” he said.
“This funding enabled me to lead an international team with research input from the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. We have been able to advance our technology and adapt if for use in different countries, which will greatly improve the impact and reach of our combined research efforts.”
Café host A/Prof Sarah Kinkel Miller affirmed that the Worldwide Universities Network funding is a great opportunity for early career researchers to kick start international collaborations.
“I encourage anyone interested in applying for this funding to please sign up for the online information sessions at 12 noon on 24 July and 11 August,” she said.
Learn more and get involved
Researchers can participate in a Worldwide Universities Network research project either by:
- leading as a Principal Investigator
- submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) or
- joining as a Co-Investigator, contributing their expertise to proposals led by others. Please create a WUN Hub profile to connect with collaborators.
Applicants must submit their LOI via Qualtrics by Monday, 2 September 2025.
For more information, visit the UTS WUN webpage and refer to the 2025 WUN RDF Guidelines. You can also contact the UTS Global Partnerships team by email: globalpartnerships@uts.edu.au
Attend an information session
Kumar Jain, Engagement Manager, Global Partnerships, will provide more information about the Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund and opportunities available to UTS researchers at the next Research Café on 30 July in RES Hub from 12-1pm.
You can also register for a virtual information session:
- Thursday 24 July 2025 | 12 - 1 PM | Register here
- Monday 11 August 2025 | 12 - 1 PM | Register here