Bremen-Cardiff Alliance Collaborative Fund

Cardiff University
Glashalle, Universität Bremen
Cardiff Delegation, 2023 mit Beteiligten Personen von der Universität Bremen

Cardiff University and the University of Bremen have entered into a strategic partnership to promote closer cooperation in research and higher education.

The partnership includes a provision for staff and PhD students to develop and deliver innovative forms of collaboration through the establishment of a dedicated fund.

The fund is open for the development of joint research between the two institutions in all disciplines, as well as other joint initiatives led by teaching, technical and professional services staff to collaborate and share best practice. Staff are particularly encouraged to use the funding to support the preparation of joint bids for external funding, work on joint publications and other collaborative outputs.

Collaboration Fund Key Information

A lead applicant is required from both universities. Lead applicants must be staff on continuing appointments or fixed-term staff whose contract extends beyond the term of the funding.

PhD students applying for the fund must identify a lead applicant who will support and oversee this project; this is likely to be your supervisor. 

Eligible activities supported through the Collaborative Fund include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of:

  • research stays, teaching exchanges, collaboration visits
  • preparation of joint funding bids and publications
  • workshops
  • seminars
  • visiting PhD student exchanges for the delivery of collaborative research
  • and, development and delivery of other collaborative projects and initiatives across research, education and professional services.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • novelty/innovation
  • project impact
  • partnership impact
  • cultural/reputation

All applications will be considered by a joint panel between Cardiff University and University of Bremen. Decisions will be made based on proposal quality and budget.
The Collaborative Fund will provide travel grants to cover the cost of transport, visas (if applicable), accommodation and subsistence for the duration of the visit. Other reasonable costs related to organisation of seminars and workshops, including the travel of multiple staff, may be requested. All travel must be in accordance with each institutions travel and sustainability guidelines.

Costs related to the development and delivery of virtual means of collaboration are also eligible.
All costs will need to be fully justified in the application. The maximum total value of an application is GBP (approx.. 11,700 EUR). For longer research stays and visiting PhD student exchanges funding will be capped at 1,000 GBP (approx.. 1,170 EUR) per month pro-rata.
Scoping visits will not be supported and hence evidence of prior online interaction will be required to be submitted as part of the application.

Key Dates for Autumn 2023 Call

Applications open11 September 2023
Applications due16 October 2023
Peer review and funding panelOctober-November
Applicants notified4 December
Project timeDecember-June 2024*
Reports due12 August 2024

*Travel must take place during the above period and funds spent no later than 31st July 2024. If you are no longer able to travel on your agreed dates, you must inform the International Partnerships Team / International College Dean.

We welcome applications from:

  • academic staff
  • post-doctoral researchers
  • PhD students
  • technical staff
  • professional services staff

Please note: lead applicants may hire students to work on successful projects; please ensure any related costs are included in your proposed project budget.

Length of visits (physical mobility)

  • Up to one week for exchanges of academic staff, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, teaching, technical and professional services staff, for the purposes of organisation of workshops, seminars, other collaborative activities and sharing of best practice
  • Between one week and three months for exchanges of academic staff and postdoctoral researchers for the purpose of research stays or teaching exchanges, preparation of joint funding bids and publications is permitted. The max cap is 10,000 GBP (approximately 11,700 EUR)
  • Between one and 12 months for visiting PhD student exchanges for the delivery of collaborative research. The max cap is: 1,000 GBP per month pro rata (approximately 1,170 EUR)

Online Activity (max £2,500 per application)

Eligible online (non-international travel costs):

  • research materials
  • analytical costs
  • fieldwork/data collection
  • research assistance / recruitment of students to support research activity
    (note: the fund is limited and as such only very limited costs will be considered)
  • reasonable non-international travel costs including accommodation and subsistence
  • software access (for collaborative projects/benefit)
  • costs associated with organising hybrid events/conferences/workshops
  • costs associated with appropriate cultural support
  • translation costs

Ineligible online (non-international travel costs)

  • staff time (when the individual is already funded at FTE)
  • overheads
  • capital expenditure
  • conference attendance fees
  • open access costs

Funding Guidelines and Limits

The University will continue to pay the salaries of participating staff members during the mobility period.

The Collaborative Fund will provide travel grants to cover the cost of transport, visas (if applicable), accommodation and subsistence for the duration of the visit. Other reasonable costs related to organisation of seminars and workshops, including the travel of multiple staff, may be requested. All travel must be in accordance with each institutions travel and sustainability guidelines.

For in-person visits, the maximum total value of an application is 10,000 GBP (approx. 11,700 EUR). For longer research stays and visiting PhD student exchanges funding will be capped at £1,000 per month pro-rata (approx. 1,170 EUR). PhD students will be either registered at the host institution as non-degree earning students or they will sign an internship agreement. Participants’ School/College/Department/research group will continue to be responsible for stipend and other costs according to each institutions policies and regulations. Consumable costs are not permitted. 

Applications for delegation visits will be considered but funding will be capped at 3,000 GBP (approx.. 3,500 EUR). Any additional funding should be sought from the School / College / Research Group. A delegation is considered as two or more persons.

An investigator from a university other than CU / Bremen can be included in the project team but you cannot apply for funding to support them or their activities/travel.

Applications that include travel to third partner organisations but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, travel to the partner organisation should be the primary purpose and / or destination.

Any unspent funding must be returned.

Subject Areas

All subject areas and initiatives including research, teaching and professional services.

Applying

  • Complete the Bremen-Cardiff Alliance Collaborative Fund online application form, in consultation with your collaborator at the University of Bremen (which must include your detailed budget for the proposed activities and justification of the projected costs)
  • Upload two letters of support to the application form - one from your Head of School/Division Director at Cardiff University and the other from the relevant Dean of Faculty/Director of Department at the University of Bremen. The letters need to confirm the institutional support for the proposal and any specific arrangements to be put in place locally to support the proposed activities.

Deadline for applications

The deadline for applications is 16th October 2023.

Final Reporting

Recipients of the fund are expected to provide a final report on the project within 2 months of completion of the project, and there will be an additional follow up from the International Office within 12 months to capture outputs, next stage funding. Any unspent funds will be recouped at the end of the funding period. Project report forms will be circulated to successful applicant’s post-award. It should be noted that individuals will not be able to partake in applications to future rounds of funding if they have an outstanding report from a previously funded project.

Cardiff contact for enquiriesBremen Contact for enquiries:
Sophie Lewis, International Partnerships Engagement Manager
Lewiss65@cardiff.ac.uk
Barbara Hasenmüller, International Office
Barbara.hasenmuellerprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de