Four major projects which address issues of worldwide significance have been selected to focus the University’s research capacity on major global challenges.

The Global Challenges programme was introduced by Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan, as part of the University’s Vision for 2008-2013. The aim is to develop substantial multi-disciplinary projects with the potential for international collaboration, which showcase Essex’s research strengths and have a strong focus on leveraging external grant funding.

Each of the selected projects will receive initial funding of £50,000 from the University in 2009-10 to get them established, and match-funding is expected to be available to support them as they begin to win external funding.

Twelve Global Challenges applications were received, and details of the four successful projects can be found at http://www.essex.ac.uk/global_challenges/.