Sabancı University and Office of International Affairs Joint Seed Funding

The Ohio State University and Sabancı University (SU) are pleased to announce a new call under the International Seed Collaboration Projects Support Program for joint research projects. Building on the collaboration initiated and developed by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sabancı University, the call particularly welcomes and encourages proposals that foster collaboration in the social sciences.

The purpose of this program is to promote and strengthen high-impact research collaboration between faculty members at Ohio State and SU by supporting the development of new research partnerships. As part of Ohio State’s global engagement strategy and SU’s commitment to international research excellence, the program provides financial support for faculty members to engage with their counterparts, identify shared research interests, and develop joint academic initiatives and competitive international research proposals. 

Research themes 

The present call invites research proposals in any discipline, but especially in areas related to:

• Well-being and quality of life
• People and society (conflict and stability, democracy, governance, markets, history etc.)
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence 
• Energy transitions

Funding and duration

Ohio State and SU will fund jointly up to $20,000 per project with a duration of two years. SU will support the costs of the research team based in the Türkiye (up to $10,000) and Ohio State will fund the U.S.-based research team (up to $10,000). 

• The projects must have the same duration on both sides.
• A total of five proposals will be funded for this call.

Eligibility criteria

Each proposal must include one Principal Investigator (PI) from the SU and one from Ohio State. Applicants should submit a well-structured and high -impact research proposal that highlights the unique contributions of both partners and demonstrates the complementary strengths of the teams.

The following eligibility criteria apply:

• Open to full-time faculty members of SU and Ohio State across all disciplines.
• Early- and mid-career scholars are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Faculty members may submit only one proposal as PI, but may participate as a collaborator in other proposals.
• Proposals must have the same duration on both sides, i.e. 24 months (two years). 
• Proposals must be written in English.
• Researchers selected for funding under the upcoming call will not be eligible to apply to the next year’s call.
• Proposals should align with the strategic research themes of both institutions and demonstrate potential for long-term collaboration.

Purpose and objectives

The primary objective of this International Seed Collaboration Project Support Program is to establish a structured mechanism that enables faculty members of Sabancı University to identify and engage with their counterparts at Ohio State in their respective research domains. Through this initiative, faculty members are encouraged to explore overlapping or complementary research areas, exchange ideas and initiate collaborative research activities. 

The second objective is to facilitate joint research planning and development activities aimed at generating new project ideas and collaborative proposals for larger external funding opportunities. 

To support these efforts, the Sabancı University Project Office will provide guidance and coordination to faculty members engaging with Ohio State counterparts. This support will include:

• Identification of relevant funding calls;
• Assistance in forming research consortia with universities, research institutes and industrial partners from EU Member States; and
• Administrative and strategic support throughout the proposal development process.

Application procedures

SU submission 

Applicants must submit a Joint Proposal Form including:

• A concise summary of the proposed collaboration (technical description one page, maximum two pages);
• The background and rationale of the collaboration, identifying research overlap and expected synergies;
• A plan of activities, including proposed visits, workshops or short-term research stays;
• Expected outcomes, such as joint publications, joint PhD supervision or preparation of a joint EU proposal;
• A budget breakdown for anticipated travel and accommodation expenses for both the PI and, where applicable, their PhD student.

Proposals should be submitted electronically to the Sabancı University Research Development and Technology Transfer Office (SUATT) Project Partners by the specified deadline. Applications will be evaluated on academic merit, feasibility, alignment with strategic priorities, and potential for future external funding.

Ohio State submission

The PI from Ohio State must submit the documents itemized in the Submission section through [link TBD].

Scope and allowable costs

• The call provides limited financial support designed to initiate collaboration and enable preparatory activities leading to larger-scale external (such as U.S. funds, EU) research funding. 
• Each allowable costs shall include (but not limited to): Travel expenses (airfare, train, local transportation) for the Sabancı University PI and for a graduate student (preferably, a PhD student); accommodation and subsistence costs during research visits of the PI and his/her students to Ohio State; meeting or workshop expenses for joint research planning or proposal preparation.
• Proposals must meet the rules and instructions of SU International Seed Collaboration Projects Support Program.
• SU internal rules apply for daily allowance and travel costs. 
• The grant can only be used for visits for research planning, international workshops and initial activities of data collection, always aiming to continue research collaboration and its consolidation.
• Each university will cover the costs of their own team. Costs of researchers from other universities who might contribute to the project will not be covered. 

Non-allowable costs

• Full or partial salaries or honoraria for investigators (i.e., Sabancı University PI or the graduate student);
• Purchase of durable equipment and/or consumables for experimental work;
• Unrelated research costs.

Evaluation criteria

SU and Ohio State will evaluate the project proposals by their own review committee. Both organizations will exchange their evaluation results, and only the overlapping projects that are found acceptable for both parties will be funded. 

Five (5) projects will be funded under this call.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance and complementarity of research between the Sabancı and counter partners;
• Scientific quality and clarity of proposed activities;
• Potential for long-term collaboration, including future U.S. international funding opportunities;
• Engagement of early-career researchers or PhD students;
• Feasibility and appropriateness of budget and timeline.

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate clear potential for generating tangible outcomes such as joint publications, workshop organization, or international project submissions.

Reporting and follow-up

Awarded teams will be required to submit a brief progress report midway through the project and a final report upon completion. The final report should summarize:

• Activities undertaken and results achieved;
• Potential follow-up actions, such as joint papers or funding proposals;
• Lessons learned and recommendations for future collaborations.

The Sabancı University Project Office will assist the awarded teams in identifying next-stage opportunities for United States, EU and international research programs to ensure continuity and impact of the collaboration.

Contact

• For inquiries and submission of applications, please contact SUATT Office pp.suatt@sabanciuniv.edu
• The Ohio State University - Rita Koryan