The BRIDGE framework aims to support the development of faculty networks, builds cognate research areas, expands educational exchange opportunities, and strengthens strategic aspirations for institutional engagement. To this end, the institutions have established a joint BRIDGE Seed Fund to which permanent full-time faculty members and research staff at each institution are encouraged to apply. Each year, $200,000 in funds are available to support collaborative research projects.

Application Process

Applications must be made using the BRIDGE Seed Fund Application Form and provide the following information:

• Before starting the application, please note:
  • Birmingham co-PIs do not have access to the application submission portal.
  • The application must be filled out by the Illinois co-PI on the project.
  • Please work with your Illinois co-PI to submit the application into the Illinois application submission portal.
• Identified Birmingham and Illinois Principal Investigators. 
• Purpose and timescale of visit/programme activity.
• Anticipated total cost and itemized budget for the proposed activities.
• Academic rationale for support, such as strategic importance or added academic value of the collaboration for your home department/university or anticipated shared outcomes and benefits for the collaboration.
• Anticipated means of sustaining the collaboration. What funding is available from other sources and what potential is there for future external investment?
• Executive Officer of the Unit / Head of College approval. Email confirmation of this support will suffice, and should be saved in PDF format and attached with the application.

Further information can be found by contacting Mary Elliston, Global Partnerships Manager (Brazil and North America), at the University of Birmingham or by contacting Dr. Sammer Jones, director for global relations, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Application Timeline

The 2026-2027 academic year call for proposals is now open!

• Applications open: Friday, January 9, 2026
• Applications close: Friday, March 13, 2026
• Successful awards announced: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Grant Types and Criteria

The BRIDGE Seed Fund supports collaborative projects between Illinois and Birmingham faculty and research staff. Proposals in Social Sciences and Humanities are particularly encouraged, as are proposals that have identified funding for sustaining the collaboration beyond the BRIDGE funds. Special consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating the intention to leverage collaborations with partners in the Global South while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Grant Guidelines

There are no restrictions on the forms of activity undertaken with BRIDGE funding, providing they meet the criteria outlined above. The fund is available to support planning visits, workshops and exchanges with the partner institution for the purpose of developing the strategic partnership. The fund may also support meetings in third party locations where there is potential to develop and/or showcase collaboration.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Academic projects to extend Birmingham-Illinois academic networks and research outputs, joint conferences, workshops, symposia, collaborative experiments and co-authored publications;
• Curriculum innovation and development of joint teaching and learning initiatives;
• Partnership development to provide transatlantic mobility and internship opportunities to ensure the distinctiveness of our high-quality student experience; 
• Civic and cultural relationship-building to enhance our status as ‘engaged’ universities;
• Trilateral activities that link research projects into wider Birmingham-Illinois strategic regions – including, for example, countries in Africa, Latin America, China, India, and Europe.
• Professional staff exchanges or visits that will further enhance the academic collaboration between the two institutions.

Additionally, applicants are encouraged to:

• Apply for reciprocal visit funding in order to broaden networks and cement engagement. 
• Demonstrate potential for relationships to become sustainable beyond the proposed project and initial seed funding term, whether through faculty and department commitment or the likelihood of externally leveraged grants and awards.

Funding Allocation

• BRIDGE seed funding will be allocated locally, with Birmingham paying the travel and accommodation costs of Birmingham staff traveling to Illinois, and the costs of projects occurring at Birmingham; and Illinois paying the travel and accommodation costs of Illinois staff traveling to Birmingham, and the costs of projects occurring at Illinois.
• BRIDGE seed funding will be subject to the travel reimbursement and other relevant financial policies of the institution providing the funding to its faculty or units.
• Requests to support for non-standard costs such as research equipment costs or research assistant staffing will need particularly clear justification.
• Typically, the maximum amount of funding available to support Implementation grants will be £10,000 from Birmingham and $10,000 from Illinois, and for Initiation grants £6,500 from Birmingham and $6,500 from Illinois.