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Swiss Alliance for Global Research Partnerships
(GRP Alliance, former KFPE)
Newsletter
10 November 2025 | |
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The revised Guide for Global Research Partnerships is now available!
We are delighted to release the revised Guide for Global Research Partnerships, developed to strengthen equitable, effective and impactful research partnerships. Structured around six guiding principles, the Guide offers practical advice on how to set research agendas together, manage power dynamics, specify roles and responsibilities, promote mutual learning, share and apply results, and build long-term partnerships. Accessible online, the Guide is designed as a
living resource that will continue to evolve with new examples, tools, and
insights from the global research community. This Guide is the outcome of a collaborative and participatory process facilitated by the Swiss Alliance for Global Research Partnerships (GRP Alliance) and shaped by the contributions of more than 200 people worldwide. We extend our thanks to everyone who shared their time, expertise and commitment to strengthening equitable and impactful research partnerships across the globe. Explore and share the Guide
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ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Award Lara Lundsgaard-Hansen, Sara Frey and Zar Chi Aye from the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) won the ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning award for their course “Be fair, contextually aware, and conflict-sensitive: key competences for sustainability transformations”. This masters’ seminar is about how we behave and cooperate in inter-cultural and inter-contextual collaborations such as international projects between Global North and Global South partners. Read more | | | |
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| | | | Workshop: Conducting Global Research Partnerships in a Polarised and Politicised World
Event for GRP Alliance member institutions, 5 November 2025, Bern During the recent GRP Alliance member’s event in Bern, participants explored how researchers and research organisations can navigate global collaborations in politically sensitive contexts. Expert inputs by Laurent Goetschel (swisspeace, University of Basel) and Stephanie Glaeser (University of Lausanne) set the stage for a lively workshop discussion. The exchanges showed that challenges are manifold, from safeguarding partners and sensitive data to maintaining institutional credibility under political pressure. Read more | | | |
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| | | | Federal budget cuts: SNSF adapts its research funding from 2026As part of relief package 27, the Federal Council is planning to reduce
the SNSF's funding by 10 percent in 2027 and 11 percent in 2028. Amongst others, the international funding scheme SPIRIT will be paused until and including 2028. Read more | | | |
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CosmoVision Arts: Call for Contributions
CosmoVision Arts invites teams of one researcher/scientist and one artist/practitioner to co-create works that merge analytical and creative perspectives, making knowledge accessible across disciplines and cultures. Rooted in the philosophy of CosmoVision (Vivir Bien), this initiative celebrates harmony with nature and one another, recognizing the pluriverse and the diversity of ways of knowing. Submission deadline: 30 Nov 2025 | | | |
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Swissnex: Call for Research Partnership Grants 2026
The Research Partnership
Grant (RPG) supports Swiss-based researchers in launching joint projects
with partners from nine South Asian countries. By promoting
interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions and borders, the RPG
enables teams to test innovative ideas, gather preliminary data, and
lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation. Submission deadline: 21 Nov 2025 | | | |
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Tech4Dev program – Call for NGOs
NGOs can submit specific needs related to climate, energy, or health challenges to be addressed through the Tech4Dev program. The initiative promotes collaboration between NGOs, local stakeholders and research laboratories to co-develop innovative, locally adapted technological solutions. Submission deadline: 30 Nov 2025
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Leading
House MENA: Connect & Collaborate Grant 2025
By supporting communication-focused initiatives, the CCG encourages researchers to engage with diverse audiences, share knowledge beyond academic circles, and foster dialogue across disciplines, sectors, and cultures. Applications on a rolling basis, latest by 31 Dec 2025
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Annual REPIC event 27 November 2025, Eventforum Bern The annual REPIC event offers an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, network and deepen
your knowledge of current developments and successful projects in our
network. Learn more
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Sight and Life webinar on Fermentation 3 December 2025, (online) Join Sight and Life and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation for an engaging webinar on how fermentation can shape sustainable, nutritious, and climate-resilient food systems.
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SFIAR Award 2025 9 December 2025, ETH Zurich Under the theme “Healthy soils and socially just coffee – Research for more sustainable food systems”, the ceremony will feature talks on soil health and fair coffee production, as well as the presentation of this year’s awards. Learn more
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African Perspectives on Global Transformations, SGAS/SSEA & VAD Conference,
26-28 August 2026, Basel The conference theme proposes a framework that responds to increasingly urgent calls for decolonization, epistemic justice, reparations, climate justice and restitution, under the conceptual header of planetary health and cosmopolitan flourishing. Find the call for papers
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SOR4D Research Conference 2026 31 August to 1 September 2026, Bern The SOR4D Research Conference 2026 convenes researchers, practitioners and development professionals to address the theme “Advancing Transdisciplinary Research for Global Development: Crisis, Collaboration, and Change.” Find the call for panels
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SUPSI, Eawag and University of Neuchâtel
CAS WASH 2026, February - October 2026
The course is designed to empower practitioners with an understanding of
the fundamentals of the WASH sector, both in the humanitarian and
development contexts. It introduces students to the core principles for
planning, designing and implementing activities to improve sustainable
and equitable access to domestic water supply and sanitation services
and to improve hygiene behaviours. Register until 19 January 2026.
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SwissTPH
Internationale
Zusammenarbeit, 2. – 27. März 2026 (Allschwil)
Bereiten Sie sich auf
die Arbeit im Gesundheitswesen in einem globalen Kontext vor, indem Sie ein
Verständnis für soziokulturelle, kulturell-geografische und ökologische
Zusammenhänge erwerben.
DAS Health Care and Management, 16 March –
19 June 2026 (Allschwil)
Gain the core competencies to understand
and address global health challenges, enabling you to excel as a public health
professional in resource-constrained settings.
Leadership, Core week: 23 March – 27 March
2026 (Allschwil)
Acquire an in-depth understanding of
leadership in an international health context and learn what it takes to lead
an organisation or work group through a change that others want to be part of.
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ETH-NADEL
The aim of this course is to gain a basic understanding of dialogue, negotiation, and mediation process design. This course provides insights into effective conflict analysis and conflict management processes. VET between Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development, 19 - 23 January 2026
This online course provides an overview of the systems and process dimensions of vocational education and training (VET), opportunities for implementation as well as implications and constraints.
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Open research starts with listening and learning
In a recent blog from the Research and Knowledge at the Heart of Development (inasp) network, Dr Julius Huho of Garissa University highlights the importance of grounding research in community voices. The article argues that truly effective, evidence-based solutions must be rooted in local realities to address today’s complex global challenges.
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ESKAS scholars: Strengthening Switzerland’s global research ties
In his article, Jürg Utzinger, director of Swiss TPH, emphasizes how the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (ESKAS) fosters international collaboration by connecting talented young researchers worldwide and building trust across cultures.
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Did you like anything
in particular or is something missing in this newsletter? Please let us know, we are happy to receive your feedback.
Elisabeth Schubiger and Fabian Käser | |
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