Bids invited to new International Partnerships fund
The University is inviting bids from academic staff to a new fund aimed at fostering international partnerships.
The International Partnerships fund of £300,000 in 2013-14 is designed to cement academic collaboration with key partner institutions overseas.
International partnerships form a central element of the University’s vision as set out in its new strategy. The University is committed to “building more and stronger partnerships with external organisations, institutions and individuals locally, nationally and internationally” and aims to have around 10 strategic international partnerships by 2018.
The fund will support projects that further this goal; for example, by fostering research collaboration or by exploring opportunities for staff and student mobility between Sussex and strategic international partners.
Through the fund, Sussex aims to:
- establish, cement or broaden research collaborations
- enhance the student experience by internationalising the curriculum and providing student mobility opportunities
- recruit the best students from around the world
- strengthen relationships with international alumni.
In 2012-13, pilot funding initiatives were used to fund academic collaboration with institutions as diverse as Cornell, Georgetown and UC Santa Cruz in the USA, through to funding student summer school opportunities at Renmin University in China and postgraduate research-student exchanges with Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai.
Professor Chris Marlin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), says: “Sussex is a truly international university. This is reflected in our student and staff body and the breadth of our research links.
“Many international links and relationships have been developed over the years, and many continue to contribute to the University’s standing, in academic circles and beyond.
“Alongside these links, our aim through the International Partnerships fund is to develop a core network of like-minded, high-quality institutions around the world.”
Peter Ellwood, Senior International Partnerships Officer, says: “As we develop our range of international strategic partnerships, our aim is to forge particularly strong alliances that are based on a broad and deep engagement across a wide range of subject areas.
“This creates opportunities for collaboration in joint research, joint workshops and conferences and enhances opportunities for staff and student mobility.”
The maximum amount for project funding is £15,000 and bids will be assessed against criteria, including the extent to which the proposal:
- meets the strategic goals of the University
- facilitates long-term relationship building
- is supported by matched funding from the School and partner.
To find out more about the bid process, see the International Partnerships pages or contact the International Partnerships team within the International Office. The International Partnerships team can provide advice to academic colleagues on developing overseas links.