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£6M joint investment in UK-BRAZIL research partnership announced

Research Councils UK announces almost £6m in joint funding between the UK and Brazil for Research Partnerships under the Newton Fund.

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Around 70 projects will be funded, giving researchers the opportunity to build sustainable collaborations between Brazil and the UK by providing flexible short-term support for small-scale research and networking activities.

This is the first time that RCUK has worked with CONFAP, the Brazilian Council of State Funding Agencies, on a joint call for proposals. Projects will be funded across all remits and challenge areas: from health to urban transformations, and from biodiversity and ecosystems to welfare reform.

Professor Jane Elliott, CEO of ESRC and the RCUK International Champion, said: “International collaboration is essential for tackling the global challenges we face today. The projects funded under this call are solid evidence that RCUK is building on and strengthening its existing relationship with Brazilian funders to support some really interesting and innovative research partnerships. Giving the UK research community the opportunity to work closely with researchers in emerging economies, and providing access to new ideas, people and data, will bring global benefits to both economy and society.”

Professor Sergio Gargioni, President of CONFAP, said: “I am delighted with the outcome of this call. Together CONFAP and RCUK have funded a significant number of truly excellent research partnerships which is a great sign of future collaboration activities between Brazil and the UK.”

Published 19 December 2014