115 Collaborations & Growing
A Transnational Academic Partnership
The Birmingham-Illinois Partnership for Discovery, Engagement & Education (known as “BRIDGE”) was established by the University of Birmingham (UK) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA) has been flourishing for a decade.
Research Areas
Together, we have created a flourishing network of faculty relationships, generating impressive research results and funding successes. There are now dozens of active research relationships across a wide range of disciplines.
Joint Funding
Through mutual investment, a joint research fund has been established by both universities to which faculty members from each institution are encouraged to apply.
Fellowships
The partnerships long-term fellowship programs strengthen our collective expertise and support early-career scholars in developing their network through collaboration with offices, facilities, and institutes at both universities.
Since 2014, we’ve…
Latest News
BRIDGE Seed Fund: Call for Proposals from Permanent Faculty and Research Staff
The BRIDGE Seed Fund is now accepting proposals for the 2025-2026 academic year. Permanent faculty and research staff members at each institution may submit applications for funding.
Global South Fellowship to foster groundbreaking research across education, health, sustainability
Birmingham and Illinois launch Global South Fellowship to promote research collaboration and partnership development for early-career researchers from the Global South.
Reflecting on BRIDGE: Storyteller details importance of global partnership; shares first-hand account of 10-year celebration
Analicia Haynes, the storyteller and social media specialist for Illinois International, shares reflections after covering the BRIDGE 10th Anniversary.
Featured Videos
A Visit to BiFoR
Staff visit the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR), which provides science, social science, and cultural research about global forested landscapes.
To the Next 10 Years & Beyond
Prof. Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela (Illinois) and Prof. Robin Mason (Birmingham) in conversation about the next ten years of BRIDGE.
