A generous philanthropic gift of £250,000 from Warwick alumnus Rui Fernandes will establish the Fernandes Fellowships programme, in support of Warwick in Europe.

This gift will provide Early Career Researchers from Europe the opportunity to launch collaborative research projects at the University of Warwick.

In 2013, Warwick established a physical presence in Brussels, enabling the University’s ground-breaking work to be showcased in the heart of Europe, and fostering collaborative relationships.

In March 2018, Warwick signed and launched two major teaching and research collaborations with L’Université Paris Seine and Vrije Universiteit Brussel – demonstrating the institution’s commitment to continuing and strengthening links with the EU.

The partnership commits Warwick to a close and active research and teaching alliance with French and Belgian partners despite the political and economic cleavages that Brexit could bring to future UK relations with continental Europe.

The Fernandes Fellowships Programme will launch in September 2018, and will support Early Career Researchers from Europe to spend three months at Warwick, helping to catalyse long-term interdisciplinary research collaborations in crucial fields such as: human disease, healthcare technologies, artificial intelligence, energy and sustainability.

Twenty-five Fellowships will be available over a three year recruitment period and at least six Fernandes Fellowships are to be granted by December 2018 and completed by December 2019. The programme will continue until at least the end of 2021. Fellows will receive a stipend of £2,000 per month, travel costs of up to £1,000 and research, support and training costs of up to £3,000.

Applications from all subject areas are welcome, however researchers working in the following interdisciplinary research areas are encouraged and will be prioritised:

• Human disease, reproductive health, antimicrobial resistance, cancer and ageing
• Data, artificial intelligence and associated ethics
• Economics, management, behavioural science and governance
• Energy, sustainability, and circular economy
• Analytical technologies for healthcare, life science and the environment

Warwick alumnus Rui Fernandes commented:

“I arrived at Warwick from Continental Europe over 20 years ago, and was welcomed into a fantastic environment for learning and personal development. I am delighted to help support the arrival of new researchers from Continental Europe and in the process contribute to Warwick’s research ethos and internationalist tradition. I hope this gift will also motivate other like-minded individuals to contribute to the university and help perpetuate its values”.

Professor Seán Hand, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Europe) at the University of Warwick, said:

“We are very grateful to Rui for his commitment and generosity. The energy and enthusiasm Rui has for wanting to create opportunities for Early Career Researchers from Europe is inspiring. With his investment, Warwick will be able to create new and exciting interdisciplinary research collaborations with universities and institutes in Europe. This gift can also help mobilise further philanthropic support from our alumni and friends”.

Warwick’s world class reputation is a result of its interdisciplinary, translational research, which attracts some of the world’s leading academics and early career researchers. Warwick’s Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) is dedicated to advancing new research ideas, characterised by interdisciplinarity, innovation and internationalisation. The Fernandes Fellows will work closely with the Institute of Advanced Study and will undertake research and training activities to support their career development.

Professor Peter Scott, Director of the Warwick Institute of Advanced Study, commented:

“Warwick has a strong and clear research strategy that calls on us to address the world’s most pressing challenges, but also to lead by creating new research ideas. We are determined to be a leading global university, building connections with individuals and institutions who see the world as a place that can be transformed by learning and working together. This philanthropic gift will help Warwick to realise this ambition and we are all delighted by Rui’s support”.

Notes:

For more information about the Fernandes Fellowships, please contact the Institute of Advanced Study at Warwick Tel: 024 761 50565 Email: IAS at warwick dot ac dot uk

Image 1: Warwick alumnus Rui Fernandes

Image 2: Signing of two major teaching and research collaborations between the University of Warwick, L’Université Paris Seine and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, March 2018

Further information contact:

Luke Walton, International Press Manager

+44 (0) 7824 540 863

+44 (0) 2476 150 868

L dot Walton dot 1 at warwick dot ac dot uk

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For more information about the Fernandes Fellowships, please contact the Institute of Advanced Study at Warwick

Tel: 024 761 50565

Email IAS at warwick dot ac dot uk