2024 Call for Letters of Intent (LOI)

Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) Research Development Fund (RDF)

Mahidol University has joined the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), a leading global higher education network connecting 23 research-intensive universities in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

WUN provides special programs for career development, including networking opportunities for researchers.

We invite Mahidol University’s researchers who are interested to submit the Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply for the WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) in the internal application process organized by the International Relations Division, Mahidol University.

Two successful applications will be announced to continue to apply in the WUN application process accordingly. For more information, please see below:

WUN-RDF 2024 Mahidol University Shortlist Announcement

Project title

Mahidol Principal Investigator

Affiliation

Towards Net Zero and Environmentally Sustainable Food and Energy Systems with Innovative Circular Economy Solutions (NZS FOOD-ENERGY)

Associate Professor Dr.
Trakarn Prapaspongsa

Faculty of Engineering

Circular Economy Approach of Food Waste Management for Thai Fresh Markets

Associate Professor Dr.
Cheerawit Rattanapan

ASEAN Institute for Health Development

 

Purpose

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is a global alliance of research-intensive universities. As of now, there are 23 member universities in the network. These universities collaborate on various research initiatives and academic programs to address global challenges. Research activities are focused on the following areas within the context of sustainable development.

1. Social justice and human rights; inequality

2. Sustainable world: cities and urbanization; energy transitions; water, and food security

3. Mental health; child and maternal health; ageing

4. Responsible and ethical applications of Artificial Intelligence

Funding information

Project teams. A project must engage at least 3 WUN member universities in at least 2 regions. Projects may include non-WUN universities and external partners but must have an active core of WUN member universities. Projects led by early career researchers are especially encouraged.

Terms of award: An award of up to £10,000 will be offered by WUN to each selected project.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Objectives: The project must address one or more of the identified UN SDGs, a new research problem, or take an existing WUN research program in a significantly new direction.

  • Teamwork: The team involves a well-qualified team.

  • Impact: Desirable outcomes are likely to be of significant public interest.

  • Sustainable Design: The project is concerned with any potential environmental impact.

Internal application process:

There is a two-stage application process for WUN applications, as Mahidol University is limited to two lead-RDF applications per call.

First stage: Submit the applicant’s LOI and a nomination letter, signed by a Dean, Director, or authorized representative, to the Office of the International Relations Division. An internal panel, led by the VPs for Global Partnerships and University Council and the VPs for Research, will review the LOIs.

Final stage: Two LOIs will be chosen for full proposal development and submitted online for final decision on the WUN application platform.

Timelines:

Date

Activities

Internal application process

3 July 2024

Call for internal LOIs

15 August 2024

Internal LOIs submission deadline

16 - 30 August 2024

To be reviewed by an internal panel

6 September 2024

Two successful LOIs will be announced

WUN process

7 – 15 October 2024

Draft online proposal submission

16 – 17 October 2024

Reviewed by International Relations Division

18 October 2024

Online proposal submission deadline

13 December 2024

Result announcement and the fund will be granted by February 2025

Contact the Mahidol WUN coordinators for advice or further information.

Ms. Tassanaporn Hongyon, tassanaporn.hon@mahidol.edu, 02-849-6236

Ms. Chatinee Kanayart, chatinee.kan@mahidol.edu, 02-849-6235