Funding Opportunities
U21 Collaborative Seed Fund 2025
U21 is excited to launch the Collaborative Seed Fund initiative designed to inspire innovation and foster collaboration across the U21 network.
Project Focus Areas
Project proposals are invited from across the U21 network in the following areas:
- U21 Communities of Practice (COPs)
- Supporting existing COPs to strengthen connections and share expertise across U21 member institutions.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Projects
- Promoting initiatives that enhance inclusivity, equity, and diversity within and beyond the U21 network.
- Global Education Collaborative Projects
- Advancing innovative approaches to global education through cross-institutional collaboration, building on the 2024 Global Education and Senior Leaders Meeting outcomes.
Funding and Eligibility
- Each successful project will receive $5,000 (USD) or $10,000 (USD), depending on the focus area.
- Funding will be awarded in May 2025 and will cover 12 months.
- Applicants must be from U21 member institutions and engage collaborators across at least two other U21 institutions (a minimum of three participating institutions).
It is envisaged that the following number of projects will be awarded:
| Funding area | Amount | Number of projects |
|---|---|---|
| U21 Communities of Practice | $5,000 | 2 |
| EDI Initiatives | $10,000 | 1 |
| Global Education Collaborative Projects | $10,000 | 1 |
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should include:
- Project title and area of focus.
- Project lead: one person at a U21 institution to act as project lead (funding will be transferred to this institution).
- Objectives: Clearly outline the goals of your project.
- Collaborators: List all U21 partner institutions involved.
- Methodology and timeline: Describe your approach and key milestones over 12 months.
- Expected outcomes: Highlight the anticipated impact and alignment with U21 priorities.
- Budget: Indicate how the funding will be allocated.
- Institutional sign–off: applications must be endorsed by the lead institution’s U21 Senior Leader.
Reporting Requirements
Recipients of funding must provide:
- A progress report six months after project commencement (by the end of November 2025, to be included in U21’s annual impact report).
- A final project report, including outcomes and impact, to be presented at the U21 Annual Network Meeting in May 2026.
Application Process
Applications to the U21 Collaborative Seed Fund have now closed.
The U21 Collaborative Seed Fund 2025 outcomes will be announced at the Annual Network Meeting in May.
For further details or support in submitting your proposal, please contact [email protected].