Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) joint seed funding scheme
The University has launched a new IIT Madras–ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø joint seed funding scheme.
Applications are open
The deadline for applications is Monday 18 May 2026.
Purpose
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) have identified each other as strategic partners to foster deep collaborations in research and education. The IIT Madras–ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø joint seed funding scheme has been established to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities as well as develop multidisciplinary cutting-edge research to create academic and societal impact.
In this pilot round, applicants are encouraged to submit funding proposals for innovative and sustainable programs built around collaborative research linking IIT Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The funding shall enable academic staff from all disciplines to identify complementary strengths, explore areas of synergy, and develop outstanding future projects in research and academic innovation. Proposals for learning and teaching initiatives may also be considered if included as part of a larger collaborative research proposal. The joint seed funding aims to support the first steps of cooperation and is not meant as complete project funding.
Proposals should plan for long-term engagement that includes leveraging external funding and publication outputs. Proposals must include a team of participants from both institutions and are encouraged to include PhD or Masters by research students, postdocs, Early and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR). Projects which are multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary in nature are encouraged.
Scoring and selection criteria
Scoring
All applications will be reviewed by a joint committee (inclusive of both IIT Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) and preference will be given to the proposals which meet the selection criteria detailed below.
The criteria do not have weightings. Proposals are assessed holistically. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:
| Score | Category | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Excellent | Proposal successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion. Any shortcomings are minor. |
| 7 to 9 | Very good | Proposal addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present. |
| 4 to 6 | Good | Proposal addresses the criterion well, but a number of shortcomings are present. |
| 1 to 3 | Weak | Criterion is inadequately addressed or there are serious inherent weaknesses. |
Selection criteria
Academic quality and relevance
- Clearly describe the objectives and methodology to be employed with the project. The academic quality and innovativeness of the proposed activities will be considered alongside the soundness of the concept and credibility of the proposed methodology.
- Details how the participants in the research team will bring together the necessary expertise to carry out the project. The CVs of the Principal Investigators (PI) will be taken into consideration.
- Up to 500 words.
Execution, including sustainability plan
- Elaborate on the work plan and milestones, and anticipated outcomes outlined in the timeframe. There are separate sections in the application form for an outline of activities in the timeline and budget. Proposed timeframes and budget estimates should be realistic and appropriate.
- The long-term plan for engagement to attract research funding, produce publications and develop the partnership will be taken into consideration. Proposals must include a specific and concrete plan for how the project will become sustainable.
- This section should also address the appropriateness of the allocation of tasks, ensuring that all participants, including PhD or Masters by research students, postdocs, Early and Mid-Career Researchers, have a valid role and there are adequate resources in the project to enable them to fulfil that role.
- Up to 300 words.
Impact, legacy and scalability
- Outline what the participants will gain from the project and how it will contribute to the discipline and field of research.
- Explain how the project could be transferred to other levels (local, regional, national, etc).
- Explain how the project will impact beyond the academic sphere, for example, benefit society, address global challenges, Sustainable Development Goals).
- Elaborate on how the project activities and results will be communicated to different target audiences.
- Up to 300 words.
Partnership and strategic relevance
- Explain how the project will establish or strengthen a durable cooperation between the universities and participants.
- Explain how the project will be shared with the broader academic communities at each institution and how it will promote and consolidate the relationship between the two universities.
- Outline how the project will contribute to realising university strategies and support the research and teaching priorities of the faculties and or schools and or departments.
- Up to 300 words.
Expected outcomes
It is expected that the selected proposal will result in the following outcomes:
- Research quality and influence
The research:
-
- will advance knowledge in the field which addresses an issue of importance
- may result in fundamental outcomes
- is innovative in concept
- will use well-established approaches to good effect
- Publications
At least one publication will be in preparation for submission to a nationally and or internationally recognised peer-reviewed scholarly journal.
- External funding
At least one national and or international competitive grant application will be in preparation or submitted.
Details of the external funding bodies to which you plan to submit applications must be identified within the application form.
- Training and education
Supervision and mentoring of visiting PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, or Early and Mid-Career Researchers.
- Joint workshop
A joint workshop at either institution. This may be in-person, virtual or hybrid.
- Conference
A conference presentation to disseminate results of collaboration. This may be online.
Industry engagement is encouraged but not expected. If proposals include industry engagement, then details should be provided in the timeline and activities section of the application.
Duration and key dates
- Applications open:
- Monday 16 March 2026
- Applications close:
- Monday 18 May 2026
- Outcomes announced:
- Late June 2026
- Earliest date for projects to start:
- Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Mid-term progress review:
- Monday 11 January 2027
- Latest date for projects to end:
- Wednesday 30 June 2027
- Final reports due:
- Monday 2 August 2027
How to apply
Terms and conditions of open call
- Proposals are invited from academic staff from all disciplines at IIT Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
- For IIT Madras, applicants from affiliated Research Centres and Institutes must be University Title Holders, and investigators must be employed on a full-time basis.
- For the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, applicants should be full-time or part-time academic staff with a contract of employment until at least the end of the project.
- PhD and master’s by research students and research assistants/associates are not eligible to apply as Investigators. Post-docs may apply only if they are based at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. All are welcome to join applications as project team members.
- Activities can take place in Chennai or ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The motivation for holding the activity should be clearly explained, including how the involved IIT Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø faculties and schools can benefit in the long term from this cooperation.
Proposals
All proposals must address the selection criteria and include the following elements:
- Details of team involved and the role and contribution of each member
- Selection criteria
- Expected outcomes
- Project timeline
- Project budget
- CV of the IIT Madras Principal Investigator (up to two pages) which should include:
- Qualifications, current position and employment history
- 10 career-best publications
- Awards and relevant presentations
- Current grant income
- Collaborative track record of up to 200 words
- CV of the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Principal Investigator (up to two pages)
- Brief endorsement letter of the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Head of School
Submitting your application
Proposals must be submitted separately by the Principal Investigators to their respective home institutions and received no later than Monday 18 May 2026.
IIT Madras
Proposals should be submitted by the IIT Madras Principal Investigator through the IIT Madras
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Principal Investigator must upload the following documents as one single PDF using the :
- Completed 2026 IIT Madras Application Form (Word)
- CV of IIT Madras PI
- CV of University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø PI
- Brief endorsement letter of the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Head of School
Results
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by late June 2026.
Successful applicants will receive a letter of award outlining the process to accept the award including payment.
Feedback from the joint committee may be provided upon request.
Award funding
In this pilot round, up to two proposals will be funded. Each with two Principal Investigators: one from IIT Madras and one from the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Each successful proposal may receive up to the equivalent of £5,000 from each university for a total of £10,000.
Eligible grant activities and or costs
IIT Madras allowable expenses include:
- Airfares: only travel on economy class will be considered
- Other travel expenses, for example, train, rental car
- Costs for hosting seminars and or conferences or workshops
- Accommodation and subsistence
- Consumables
- Publications and printing costs
University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø allowable expenses include:
- Travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses incurred during international travel
- Costs linked to organisation of joint meetings, seminars or workshops
- Cost of developing shared online resources like video editing
- Consumables needed for the implementation of the project
- Costs related to publication and or dissemination of results
All travel activities must comply with the guidelines of the respective universities.
All IIT Madras travel must comply with its relevant travel policy. Awardees must:
- apply through Workflow
- obtain a letter of support upon invitation from partner institute
- apply for a visa
- post travel to submit bills
All ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø travel must comply with University’s expense policy, and travel and fieldwork policy.
IIT Madras non-allowable expenses include:
- General teaching
- Individual staff member’s research projects, unless as catalytic funding for the establishment of an international research collaboration with the prospect of external funding
- Event registration fees
- Venue hire if the event is held on campus
- Website development
- Salaries or salary supplementation, and honoraria (Research and or project assistants may be possible with the approval of JFBMP advisor–Global Engagement IIT Madras and or Finance Manager and Head of School)
- Scholarships for students
- Course fees for international students
- Bench fees
- Mobile phone cards
- Entertainment costs
- Computers, including laptops (excluding access to high-performance computers or other specialised applications that are justified by the project) and basic computing facilities such as printers, word processing and other standard software.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø non-allowable expenses include:
- salaries or salary supplementation of any kind
- indirect and overhead costs
- course fees, stipends or scholarships for students
- infrastructure and equipment purchases, such as computers, including laptops and basic computing facilities such as printers, word processing and other standard software
- conference registrations, unless specifically related to the dissemination of results costs already incurred before the submission of the proposal
Financial and reporting obligations
- The funding should only be used for the approved project and in accordance with the proposal and the budget plan. It must not be used for any other purposes and prior approval from both universities is needed for any variation in the budget items. Requests for variations from original proposals must be submitted to both universities for approval.
- Awardees must adhere to the purchasing guidelines of the respective universities to which reimbursement is to be sought. Reimbursement and or approval of each expenditure item will be capped at the approved amount.
- Awardees must submit a final report to the respective programme coordinators at IIT Madras and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
- Failure to submit a completed report will result in the Principal Investigators of the project being ineligible to submit future funding applications.
- The activation of research funding accounts and or submission of claims are not tied to ethics and or other approvals being obtained. It is the responsibility of Principal Investigators to ensure that no work requiring approval is commenced until such approvals are in place.
Change of investigator
If circumstances change, for example, a Principal Investigator leaves the project, awardees should notify the programme coordinators at each institution. Such changes will need to be approved and documented.
Extensions
Only under exceptional circumstances will extensions be approved. Requests for extensions must be submitted to the programme coordinators at both institutions in writing at least two months before project end date and include a revised budget and timeline of activities for consideration.
Marketing and communications
Awardees are asked to update both institutions about the progress of their project over the 12 months. Materials such as photos, videos, and news stories that provide an update on the project’s progress and which can be shared more widely are also welcomed. Both universities may occasionally request brief project updates to support awareness of the partnership.
Publications
Any publications, for example, abstracts, articles, or dissemination like public presentations arising from activities supported, should acknowledge assistance received from this programme and copies or notification should be submitted to the Office of Global and Research Engagement at IIT Madras and the Global Office at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The standard acknowledgment is 'Joint seed funding provided by IIT-Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø'.
Forfeiture of grants
- Grants must be spent within one year of the award being made.
- For IITM researchers, the fund can be claimed as per allotted budget from the ICSR project account created for this mobility programme. The funds can be claimed post travel by submitting relevant bills.
- The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Principal Investigator is responsible for:
- managing the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø project funds
- reporting on their usage
- facilitating the sharing of funds with their IITM partner Principal Investigator where required
- returning unspent funds to the University by the project end date
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Adherence to respective equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies is an important feature of this programme to ensure that all participants can do their best work, thrive and succeed.
Applicant teams should consider how they can take meaningful steps in their future collaborations to foster an environment that values, supports and respects a diverse range of views, knowledge and experiences.
Applicants should consider EDI as it applies to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, (dis)ability, and career stages.
Sustainable research travel
IIT Madras and the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø recognise the importance of organising in-person meetings and events to support the development of collaborative partnerships. Therefore, both institutions encourage applicants to consider the environmental impact of their proposed research and travel.
Please refer to the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’ webpage for more guidance.
Trusted Research
Trusted Research, the term used by the UK Government and other bodies to refer to national security issues in the planning and undertaking of research, has been an increasingly prominent agenda since 2019.
The University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is required to put in place, and enforce, relevant provisions to ensure that it attends to this agenda. We have created guidance and a Trusted Research tool to assist researchers and direct colleagues towards existing policy and process to ensure compliance where necessary.
As part of your application to this scheme, you confirm that you:
- will review or have reviewed relevant guidance
- will complete or have completed a Trusted Research tool submission including any required outcomes