Research Awards

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Research Applications, at any international locations, that demonstrate consideration for the following will be given priority: 

• Cross-disciplinary collaboration 
• Longevity of the program/project 
• Bi-directional relationships with any global partners   

The GIF Awards cannot support long-term projects. It is a seed fund with the expectation that the research team will apply for additional funding to support a long-term project. 

Contact OGA with questions at uwgif@uw.edu 

This call invites proposals for partnership development activities that strengthen collaboration between the University of Washington (UW) and our partner universities:

• Aalto University
• University of Helsinki
• Tohoku University
• The University of Manchester
• The University of Sheffield

Eligibility

• Proposals must include participants from both UW and one of the partner institutions listed above.
• Applications are welcome from all research areas.

Funding Details

• Each selected project may receive up to $10,000 from the Global Innovation Fund (GIF) at UW.
• The partner university will match the same amount, providing up to an additional $10,000 to its participating faculty or researchers.
• Total maximum project funding: $20,000.
• Funds are intended to support activities that initiate or deepen collaboration, such as workshops and joint research.

Application Process

• • The UW faculty member serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) and submits the application through the GIF Terra Dotta platform.
  • No separate application is required through the partner university.

Proposal Requirements
Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed activity will:

• Build on areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths.
• Provide a foundation for long-term, large-scale collaboration between UW and the partner institution.
• Support future joint research initiatives and potential applications for external research funding.

For Tier 1 UW Research Awards:  

• Early-career UW faculty members, research scientists, and non-faculty researchers from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses, are encouraged to apply. Graduate students, including PhD students, and post docs, are not eligible to apply; however, their involvement in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns, is encouraged.  
• Tier 1 awards are intended for applicants who are in the early stages of a research project or those seeking to expand their research globally. 

For Tier 2 UW Research Awards 

• UW faculty members, research scientists, and non-faculty researchers from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses, are encouraged to apply. Graduate students, including PhD students, and post docs, are not eligible to apply; however, their involvement in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns, is encouraged.  

For Partnership Awards

• Who can apply: UW faculty members and research scientists from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses are eligible and encouraged to apply.
• Who cannot apply: Graduate students, including PhD students, and post docs, are not eligible to apply as principal applicants.
• Student involvement: Graduate students may participate in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns.
• Collaboration requirement: All UW applications must include a collaborator from one of the partner universities.
• The University of Manchester additional Eligibility Criteria 
• Tohoku University – additional guidelines

For all applications, the priority is given to: 

• Cross-disciplinary and multi-country collaboration 
• Proof of concept with clear outcomes 
• Sustainable funding models after the GIF award 
• Development and submission of a collaborative proposal for external funding 
• Development and submission of a collaborative scholarly publication, monograph, or exhibition of research or creative work 
• Development of new collaborative curricular programs (degree programs, courses, faculty exchanges) 

All funded projects must submit a post-award report at the end of the award use period. 

• Brief narrative report – describe the purpose, outcomes, and next steps for your project 
• Photos and/or videos 
• Updated budget, including actual expenditures 

Please mention the Global Innovation Fund in any communications or news related to your project. Use #UWGlobal on social media UWGlobal LinkedIn and UWGlobal Instagram. 

UW Global may follow up to do additional marketing and storytelling around each community. 

Failure to submit the final report and budget on time will cause exclusion from future GIF applications.