University College Dublin and University of Liverpool set-up joint Research Seed Fund
Posted 6 November, 2025
John Fogarty, Executive Director of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Ambassador Kara Owen, British Ambassador to Ireland; Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool; Professor Orla Feely, President, University College Dublin; Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council; Councillor Donna Cooney, Dublin City Council
University College Dublin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with (opens in a new window)University of Liverpool to foster future collaboration with the establishment of a joint research seed fund.
The Research Seed Fund will enable individuals in both universities to identify complementary strengths and co-produce new research-led activities that cannot be achieved by either university alone.
Together, the universities aim to enable researchers to develop collaborative projects across a range of areas such as AI, health, engineering, and the humanities, building towards long-term academic and societal impact.
"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the University of Liverpool, bringing together our two academic communities with the mutual goal of driving ambitious global research with purpose and impact,” said UCD President Professor Orla Feely.
“The establishment of the joint Research Seed Fund will not only spark new collaborations between our institutions but also new ideas with the potential for transformative impacts, which neither university would achieve alone.”
Welcoming the agreement, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool, Professor Tim Jones added the new partnership with University College Dublin reflected both institutions’ “shared commitment to research that drives real-world impact”.
“Through a joint Research Seed Fund, we aim to empower our academics to combine expertise, exchange ideas, and co-create innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges—from advancing health and AI to promoting sustainability and social justice.”
Potential activities supported under the initiative include research workshops, short-term visits for faculty, targeted experiments, and the co-production of joint funding proposals, publications, and impact-driven projects.
Both universities will advance discussions on the framework for the seed fund, with detailed terms to be set out in a future legally binding agreement.
"[This partnership] marks another step forward in furtherance of UCD's ambition to break down boundaries, expand our networks and enable discovery and innovation,” said UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, (opens in a new window)Professor Kate Robson Brown.
“By forging this collaboration, our two universities can amplify our collective strengths for the benefit of our communities and enhance our global competitiveness, ensuring that the knowledge and solutions we create can have greater reach and impact."
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
