Applications to the BIRMAC Project and Ideas Fund 2025 now open

The University of Birmingham and McMaster University are delighted to launch the BIRMAC Project and Ideas Fund.

In October 2021 the University of Birmingham and McMaster University signed a formal agreement to create a framework for collaboration and partnership between the two institutions. McMaster University and the University of Birmingham have historic similarities, shared interests and recognize that to achieve exceptional research outcomes and the best possible student experience, constant nurture and support is necessary and cannot be done in isolation.

While several areas of collaboration have already been identified, we are convinced that many new and future partnerships are yet to be uncovered. To help bring these to the fore, we have established the Projects and Ideas Fund: a seed fund created with matching funding from each university designed to identify, establish and develop first-rate research projects and student outcomes.

Fund Overview

The fund’s objective is to support new initiatives by providing bridge funding between ideas and the first grant, or academic initiative. The funding is designed to enable individuals to identify complementary strengths, leverage synergy, and design new outstanding research and education projects and opportunities for academic excellence across all disciplines.

The funding will seed and enable the development of deep partnerships through joint initiatives, which for example could include (but is not limited to):

• Intensive academic research and/or education workshops leading to future long-term collaborations.
• Short-term visits for both young and established academics, or senior staff, enabling new and innovative long-term collaborations.
• Research-oriented teaching opportunities, such as for instance the development of new experiential seminars, bringing together PhD Candidates and Post-Doctoral Fellows.

Application Process

Faculty (academics) and professional services staff wishing to access funding must submit an application using the online BIRMAC Project and Ideas Fund Application Form

Full details can be found in the Application Guidelines.

The closing date for this call is March 31, 2025. Application outcomes will be announced on or after April 30, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corinne Vernon

Research Administration Analyst, ROADS

vernonc@mcmaster.ca

Or

Van Nhan

Associate Director, ROADS

nhanvt@mcmaster.ca