The UNIC Seed Fund Mechanism

This UNIC Seed Fund Initiative aims to support collaborative "Engaged Research" initiatives across our partner universities, sparking new ideas for tackling societal challenges in post-industrial cities.

On this page, you can learn about what Engaged Research means, get inspired by projects supported through this seed fund mechanism, and (when applicable) how to apply for funding. You can find additional information in downloadable PDFs. If you have further questions regarding Engaged Research, please reach out to UNIC coordinator(s) in your host institution.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101035801.

What is UNIC?

The European University of Post-Industrial cities (UNIC) is an alliance of ten universities impacting education, research, and community engagement to develop post-industrial cities. The UNIC Alliance is located in transitory economies and places that constitute a shared socio-economic environment of post-industrial transformations. Our universities are expected to play a key role in the transition of their cities to become centres of knowledge concerning transformations by engaging with research into the very processes and learning on resilience, adaptation, co-creation, etc.

UNIC researchers tackle societal challenges by involving and engaging citizens, civil society, public/city authorities, and private businesses in research and innovation activities. Engaged Research offers an interdisciplinary approach and method for systematic knowledge production not only for society but also together with society.

The Seed Fund Mechanism

In order to increase the amount of collaborative engaged research initiatives within the UNIC consortium and provide support to researchers to coordinate those initiatives, seed funds are allocated to the members of the Alliance.

Collaborative UNIC engaged research initiatives relates to the societal challenges of post-industrial cities in transition. Initiatives are recommended to touch upon a challenge defined by our UNIC Cities. These challenges are related to e.g., Diversity & Inclusion, Green Cities & Sustainability, Urban Resilience & Transformation, Health & Well-being, Aging Population, Digital Transition through engaged research and aims to co-create knowledge through engaged research.

Supporting Collaborative
ENGAGED RESEARCH INITIATIVES

“UNIC Seed Fund” offers small-scale support for engaged research project proposal development across all disciplines within the UNIC consortium and beyond. This can be a Horizon Europe, JPI Urban Europe, AMIF, Digital Europe, Interreg, or similar national or international project proposal based on or inspired by our UNIC Cities’ challenges and opportunities collected in the Local Engaged Research Roadmaps.

Collaborative UNIC engaged research initiatives relates to the societal challenges of post-industrial cities in transition. Initiatives are recommended to touch upon a challenge defined by our UNIC Cities. Challenges are related to e.g., Diversity & Inclusion, Green Cities & Sustainability, Urban Resilience & Transformation, Health & Well-being, Aging Population, Digital Transition through engaged research and aims to co-create knowledge through engaged research.

UNIC4ER and Engaged Research

The goal of UNIC4ER is to bring together different fields of research and development to work on projects involving cities as partners. This collaborative effort is guided by the UNIC4ER Meets the City framework, which outlines plans for research challenging our cities and closely connected to local communities. These plans lead to the initiation of collaborative projects known as UNIC Engaged Research projects. To better understand cities' needs, UNIC4ER has gathered information from partner cities through two key sources: Input provided by UNIC Cities in our UNIC Local Engaged Research Roadmaps, based on or inspired by which collaborative UNIC Engaged Research projects have been called for.

These research challenges stem from the goals and difficulties faced by partner cities. However, it's crucial to note that these goals and challenges evolve over time. As new needs emerge and existing research needs are met, the focus of Engaged Research shifts. This is why UNIC4ER continuously develops Local Engaged Research Roadmaps, guiding research activities and adapting regularly to match the changing priorities of cities.

UNIC Seed Fund

The UNIC Seed Fund Mechanism

What is UNIC?

The Seed Fund Mechanism

Supporting CollaborativeENGAGED RESEARCH INITIATIVES

UNIC4ER and Engaged Research

Engaged Research Projects Supported by UNIC:

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Supporting Collaborative
ENGAGED RESEARCH INITIATIVES