The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is pleased to announce its Seminar Series Awards. With funding of up to £20,000 per award (or £25,000 for proposals with training components), this program supports groundbreaking global research in urban studies.

The Seminar Series Awards aim to foster pioneering global research in urban studies by supporting event programming that stimulates collaboration, builds scholarly networks, and generates impactful publications. This program welcomes innovative proposals that contribute to global urban studies discourse and align with the latest themes in the Urban Studies Journal.

The Urban Studies Foundation (USF) is a renowned charitable organization dedicated to advancing scholarly research and education in urban studies. Established to foster innovation and collaboration, the USF supports global academic initiatives that explore the complexities of urban life, cities, and their governance. Through its diverse funding programs, including research grants, fellowships, and seminar series awards, the foundation promotes impactful research and fosters connections among scholars, particularly those from the Global South.

Application Deadline: 17th February 2025

Brief Description

• University or Organization: Urban Studies Foundation (USF)
• Department: NA
• Course Level: Research-focused seminars and training programs
• Award: Up to £20,000 per award (or up to £25,000 for proposals with eligible training elements)
• Access Mode: Online
• Number of Awards: Up to twelve awards
• Nationality: Open to applicants worldwide
• The award can be taken in: UK

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Applications are welcomed from scholars of all nationalities.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The award supports research seminars, colloquia, roundtables, and public talks on topics related to urban studies.
• Admissible Criteria:
  • Proposals must include at least three distinct events hosted globally, which may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
  • Events must begin within 12 months of the application deadline (by March 2026).
  • Proposals must be supported by at least one academic or non-profit organization capable of administering the grant funding (Global South institutions are exempt from the overheads requirement).
  • At least one applicant must be an academic, researcher, or educator in the field of urban studies.
  • Proposals must engage with global urban studies debates, avoiding isolated case studies.
  • Proposals with eligible training components for early-career researchers are encouraged and may receive additional funding.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their applications via the online web form by 17th February 2025 (23:59 UTC+0). The application should include:

1. A completed application form.
2. Applicant CVs (maximum two pages each).
3. Letters of support from host organizations and venues.
4. Budget evidence documentation.
5. Event program details (optional, maximum two pages).

All applicants must first review the guidance documents available on the USF website. Outstanding queries can be directed to [email protected] with the subject “SSA Query.”

Benefits

• Funding of up to £20,000 per award, with an additional £5,000 for proposals containing training components for early-career researchers.
• Opportunities to build global scholarly networks and generate impactful urban studies research and publications.
• Encouragement for Global South scholars and institutions, with funding provisions for institutional overheads.
• Support for engaging training activities such as writing workshops and mentorship for early-career researchers.

Apply Now