Seed Awards: "A Launchpad for Young Researchers"

^{Translation: Diana Taborda}

"It serves as a launchpad for young researchers," says João Ramalho-Santos, UC Vice-Rector for Research. The 5th edition of the Seed Awards maintains the programme's premise of funding interdisciplinary research proposals submitted by early-career researchers (i.e., those who have completed their Ph.D. within the last ten years).

The 'Seed Projects for Interdisciplinary Research' initiative is organised by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research of the University of Coimbra (IIIUC), with the support of the UC Strategic Areas Unit.

The programme "awards five prizes to young researchers who have recently obtained their Ph.D., aligning with the UC five strategic areas that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda," explains the Vice Rector. The total prize money, supported by Santander Bank, amounts to 100,000 euros—20,000 for each winner—“sufficient to kickstart some activities.” According to Ramalho-Santos, the prize "is a launchpad for a career as an independent researcher, a seed to secure future funding, and a means of consolidating a career that we expect to be very successful and fruitful.”

The Vice-Rector, who is also the Director of IIIUC, points out that project proposals submitted to the competition "must be interdisciplinary, involving not just a solo researcher but a team of researchers from different centres, with a holistic approach to a given topic."

This year's edition will feature changes to the jury, now consisting of members from outside the University of Coimbra, and adjustments to the evaluation criteria, which have been reduced from six to three. In short, “we want something simple, clear, transparent, and straightforward,” says João Ramalho-Santos, who has high expectations for the 5th edition of the Seed Awards, “anticipating high-quality proposals that will serve as seeds for other ideas.”

To date, a total of 19 projects have been funded in different strategic areas. Evidence from the last four calls demonstrates the collaborative potential within and beyond the UC that the programme encourages, with over 56% of applicant teams involving five or more UC researchers, and over 40% involving collaboration with external partners.

The UC 'Seed Projects for Interdisciplinary Research' call for proposals is open until the 15th of February 2024, 5 pm. The application form and rules are available online.