Launch of the UCD Squared Research Seed Fund to Strengthen UCD–UC Davis Collaboration
University College Dublin (UCD) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) are pleased to announce the launch of the UCD² Research Seed Fund, a new joint funding call designed to deepen research collaboration and foster innovative partnerships between the two globally engaged institutions.
Jointly supported by UCD and UC Davis, the fund provides two seed grants of up to €20,000 / $20,000 each to enable academic and research staff to develop collaborative projects, advance interdisciplinary research, and catalyse long-term partnerships.
The call is now open to UCD academic and research staff who wish to work more closely with colleagues at UC Davis in areas of shared strategic strength.
The fund builds on the long-standing partnership between UCD and UC Davis, which has spanned over a decade of collaboration in education, research, and innovation. The partnership was further strengthened in 2025 with the renewal of the UCD-UC Davis partnership, which reaffirmed both universities’ shared commitment to addressing global challenges through collaborative research and education.
Focusing on three key interdisciplinary themes, the UCD² Research Seed Fund aims to inspire innovative solutions that transcend borders and create lasting impact:
- One Health: exploring the interconnections between human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
- Sustainable Food Systems: promoting resilient, regenerative, and equitable approaches to global food production.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Systems> advancing data-driven innovation for societal benefit.
Welcoming the launch, Professor Dolores O’Riordan, UCD Vice-President for Global Engagement, said:
“This fund represents an exciting next step in UCD’s partnership with UC Davis. It provides a platform for our researchers to develop new and ambitious projects that address global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. UCD and UC Davis share a deep commitment to research that has real-world impact, and I look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that emerge from this call.”
The total funding available under this call is approximately €40,000, with up to two awards to be made. Funded projects will run for 24 months, from 1 April 2026 to 1 April 2028.
Applications are now open, with a submission deadline of Thursday, 11 December 2025 (11:59 PM).
Further details, including application guidelines and eligibility, are available in the (opens in a new window)call documentation.
For enquiries, please contact Eve Brosseau, UCD Global: (opens in a new window)globalseedfund@ucd.ie.