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BORDEAUX - WATERLOO JOINT GRANTS

The University of Waterloo (UW) and the University of Bordeaux (UBx) are delighted to announce the official launch of their 2025 joint call for proposals to support collaborative seed projects between our campuses. This joint program is the result of a solid partnership that goes back more than a decade with multiple joint funding calls that have nurtured many successful collaborations to date. Both institutions wish to further develop these collaborations with dedicated funds.

Call for proposals - 2025

This call will provide seed funding for UBx-UW teams, with the goal of building to externally funded projects from various international funding opportunities, such as Horizon Europe, NFRF-International, NSERC Alliance International. This call is encouraging applications in Health-related research and Sustainable Aeronautics, but is also open to other topics.

The expectation is that the proposal objectives will align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have the potential for societal benefit.

Preference will be given to submissions that will lead to the creation of new UBx-UW teams. Submissions from established teams are eligible if they are exploring a new project, with preference given to those that have applied for/received external funding for the previous project.


Eligibility

  • Each application requires at least one lead investigator from each of UBx and UW.
  • Other investigators may be included as the project requires.
  • Individuals may participate (as PI or co-I) on only one application to this competition.

Available funding

The maximum total grant (for both UW and UBx teams) is up to ~ $30,000 CAD for a term of one year, to be shared equally (i.e. $15,000 CAD for UW researcher(s) and €10,000 for UBx researcher(s)).

Total funding available for the competition is $75,000 CAD from UW and €50,000 from UBx to fund up to 5 joint proposals (~ $150,000 CAD / ~€100 000 in total).


Submission instructions

Deadline: March 10, 2025

Combine the application form (available via this link)  and attachments into a single pdf file and submit your application directly below.

An e-Cover sheet must be submitted by the deadline for all UW applicants.

An e-Cover sheet signed by Research department directors is incorporated into the application form and must be submitted by the deadline for all UBx applicants.

Applicants must use a standard, single-column on an 8.5” x 11” or A4 page layout. The proposal must be written using a 12-point, black-coloured font, single line spacing (six lines per inch) and with no condensed type or spacing, with a margin of no less than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) around the page.

Application documents

Curriculum Vitae:  a short CV for each of the lead researchers (maximum 3 pages each)

Plain language summary (in application form): 1500 characters maximum

Keywords (in application form): up to 5 keywords

Description of Proposed Collaboration (5 pages max.)

  • Include an introduction, background, objectives, methodology, key challenges/problems the project will address, how it is innovative, how practices promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) will be incorporated, and a dissemination plan.
  • Briefly state the key areas of expertise of the researchers involved.
  • Explain the complementary nature of the project and how it aligns with both institutions’ strategies.
  • Explain the added value of the project for the UBx-UW partnership.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts (3 pages max.)

  • Briefly state expected outcomes and how they align with UN SDGs, including for example: scientific advances, technology development, policy formulation, new training program, scholarship, societal benefit(s)/transitions.
  • Provide plan for future funding and explain how the UW-UBx team will proceed to ensure the continuity of the activities.
  • Describe potential evidence of research and/or educational outcomes for this collaboration.

References (1 page)

Budget (in application form)

  • Provide a separate budget table and justification for the UW and UBx teams, reflecting an equal share of funding between teams. Eligible budget categories include travel, conference and dissemination costs, research operating costs, trainee stipends/salary, and minor equipment.


Evaluation procedure

Applications will be evaluated by expert peer reviewers at each institution, and a joint Bordeaux-Waterloo Committee, co-chaired by the UW Associate Vice-President, Research and International and the UBx Vice-President International Networks, will make the final determination for the awards.

Evaluation criteria include:

  • Innovation of project
  • Feasibility of project
  • Value of complementary expertise of research team with evidence of upholding EDI principles
  • Potential impact and societal benefit of project outcomes, such as making progress towards meeting the UN SDGs
  • Dissemination plan
  • Viability of plan for future funding        

Note: if awarded, a final report on outcomes and expenses is required within six months of completion of the project. A report template will be provided.


Questions / comments

Please direct any questions or comments to Leslie Copp, Director, FANS, Office of Research (UW) at: lcopp@uwaterloo.ca and/or Anne Blassiau, International Cooperation Officer (UBx) at: anne.blassiau@u-bordeaux.fr

Please note: by applying, you consent to the storage and usage of your data by the University of Waterloo and the University of Bordeaux for the processing of your application.