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Horizons Platform mobility funding

The Horizons Institute is offering mobility funding as part of the Horizons Platform Programme, funded through a generous donation from Dr David Fine. The scheme is open to all Platform participants from the University of Leeds and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Funding information

Mobility funding is available to visit the partner institution (Leeds or Wits) for all participants recruited to the Horizons Platform programme.

The Horizons Institute will arrange flights, accommodation and UK rail travel. All other costs will be reimbursed through the University of Leeds expense claims system on receipt of proof of purchase.  

Mobility funding will cover the following costs: 

  • Return economy-class flights to/from Manchester and OR Tambo airport. Please note we are happy to arrange flights to alternative UK and South African airports if there is no increase in cost. The primary reason for travel must be to visit the partner institution.
  • Airport transfers.
  • Local transport for work-related activities, e.g. meetings and field visits.
  • Accommodation (for a maximum of seven nights).
  • Meals at the University of Leeds standard rate, where these are not provided as part of the accommodation package.
  • Visa costs, if you require a visa to travel. Please note that we cannot cover the cost of a priority visa, and expect you to allow adequate time to apply for a visa. Please check the GOV.UK website for more information on visa processing times. Travel will not be booked until we have confirmed that all necessary visas are in place. The Horizons Institute will provide a letter of support for your visa application.
  • Travel vaccinations (if required). Leeds colleagues should book vaccinations through occupational health.

Please note that the funding does not cover recreational activities or gifts.

Travel must be completed before 31 July 2027.

Please ensure that you have the support of your line manager before confirming any travel arrangements.  

Details of the application process and criteria are provided in the following sections. Applications must be submitted by the deadline using the Horizons Platform: Mobility Funding (2026) Microsoft form.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact the Horizons Institute team by emailing horizons@leeds.ac.uk 

Key dates

The deadline for applications is Thursday 30 April 2026 at 5pm (GMT+1, 6pm SAST). Applicants will be notified of the outcome in the week commencing 11 May 2026.

How to apply

The Horizons Platform Mobility Fund is designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration between Platform programme researchers at Leeds and Wits. In the following sections, you will find details about the application process, eligibility criteria, and how the applications will be assessed. 

Application process

  • To submit an application for Platform Mobility Funding, please complete the Horizons Platform: Mobility Funding (2026) Microsoft form by Thursday 30 April 2026 at 5pm (GMT+1, 6pm SAST).
  • All proposals received by the deadline will be assessed for eligibility against the essential criteria by a Horizons Institute Research Manager.  
  • All eligible proposals will then be assessed by two members of the Horizons Team to be separated into Priority 1, Priority 2 and non-priority groups (see Priority Grouping section for details).   
  • Funding will then be awarded first to those in the Priority 1 group, then to those in the Priority 2 group and finally to those in the non-priority group.  
  • Where there are more applications than there are funds available within a group, we will use randomisation to allocate funding. 

Essential criteria

All essential criteria must be met for the application to be eligible for funding:

  • The applicant must be a colleague on the Horizons Platform programme.
  • The applicant must provide details of at least one colleague from the partner institution who they intend to meet during their visit.  

Priority grouping

Applications will be allocated a priority grouping according to the criteria below: 

Priority 1: The applicant has met the required essential criteria and has also provided one or more of the following:  

  • Details of activity that will be undertaken as part of their visit such as, but not limited to, delivery of seminars, conference attendance, cross-institution research meetings, data collection, workshop participation or delivery.
  • Details of a new interdisciplinary research collaboration, or progression of an existing collaboration, that will be developed through the visit.

Priority 2: The applicant has met the required essential criteria and has not previously travelled to the partner institution through the mobility opportunities offered as part of the Platform programme. 

Priority 3: The applicant has met the required essential criteria but has previously travelled to the partner institution through the mobility opportunities offered as part of the Platform programme.

If you have any questions about the Horizons Platform Mobility Fund, please email the Horizons Institute team via horizons@leeds.ac.uk.