Applications are now invited from faculty members for the Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund (WUN RDF) which provides seed funds to kick-start research collaborations among WUN members in four interdisciplinary areas known as the Global Challenges: Global Higher Education and Research; Public Health (Non-communicable Disease); Responding to Climate Change; and Understanding Cultures. Selected projects will each receive a grant of up £15,000 from WUN and a matching fund from CUHK for exploratory activities including workshops and international conferences, faculty and research student exchanges, field trips, etc.

The proposals must involve at least three WUN members in two geographical regions (the Office of Academic Links can assist applicants in finding WUN collaborators). Grants are offered to projects which demonstrate potential to generate academic publications, policy impact, as well as to secure external funding in the long run. Since 2012, a total of five projects led by CUHK have been awarded by RDF with a value of HK$620,000. Topics of these projects include environment conservation, migration, autism, and higher education.

Applicants should submit the completed application forms to Ms. Yvonne Heung, Office of Academic Links by 19 September 2014 or as early as possible. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a detailed set of application for submission to WUN by the end of October 2014. For further information, please refer to here or e-mail to yvonneheung@cuhk.edu.hk.