Matariki
The Matariki Network, which is named after the Māori name for the constellation known as the Pleiades star cluster, is a university network with members worldwide. The current six member universities are all among the oldest and most highly respected in their countries. The network seeks to build upon the collective strengths of its member institutions to develop international excellence in research and education and to promote social responsibility locally and globally.
Network activities includes collaborations within all areas of activity of the universities.
Member universities
- Uppsala University
- Durham University (England)
- Queen’s University (Canada)
- University of Otago (New Zealand)
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Germany)
- University of the Western Cape (South Africa)
Staff opportunities
Employees at Uppsala University can apply for funds for:
- travelling to develop cooperation within research and education.
- to organise workshops.
- a research stay of up to six months at one of the member universities within Matariki Fellows, the purpose of which is to increase the number of research contacts and strengthen international collaborations. Funds for Matariki Fellows are announced annually in January.
- to collaborate internationally on the basis of a project of their own choosing for senior administrative managers, Matariki Engagement Grants.
- Multilateral Research Collaborations, Matariki Seed Fund. Funds are announced annually in October
- PhD Students can partake in Uppsala University's local Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and win a spot in the digital Matariki 3MT competition. If you wish to participate in the local competition, contact Ellen Sjöholm.
Current opportunities
The Matariki Seed Fund 2025/2026
The Matariki Seed Fund
The Matariki Network is launching its third call for seed funding to further strengthen relationships in globally relevant research areas fields among its partners. Through a competitive process, MNU will jointly advertise, select and fund multi-lateral collaborative research projects between at least two (2) MNU institutions. Successful research projects are expected to ultimately lead to outcomes such as applications for external funding, large-scale collaborations, significant joint publications, etc.
- Projects will be funded with up to £25,000 (approximately SEK 315,000) for an activity period of 12–24 months, with each project researcher funded by their respective institution.
- Projects must start no later than 1 May 2026.
- Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are particularly welcome to apply (up to 6 years from PhD), but submissions from other applicants are also welcome.
- Proposals must include researchers from at least two (2) MNU institutions. Proposals involving more than two partners are strongly encouraged.
- External collaborators who are not members of the Matariki Network may participate in the project, but at their own expense.
- The call opens on 8 October 2025, with the final submission deadline on 15 December 2025.
- Applications must be submitted via the application form.
Matariki Fellows 2026
The program will open for applications in early 2026
Funds can be applied for an up to six-month-long research stay during 2026/2027 at one of the universities in the Matariki Network. Researchers, teachers and PhD-student employed at Uppsala University are eligible to apply.
The purpose of Matariki Fellows is to increase the number of research contacts and strengthen international cooperation.The call is open to researchers, teachers and PhD-students in all research areas at Uppsala University. Aside from Uppsala University, the network also includes Durham University (England), Queen’s University (Canada), University of Otago (New Zealand), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Germany) and University of the Western Cape (South Africa). Please note that the call no longer applies to stays at Dartmouth College (USA) or University of Western Australia, as they are no longer partners of the Matariki network.
Applicants can request funds for housing and travel expenses. Funding is also available for substitute teachers– this is however not applicable for PhD students. It is possible to request funds for travel expenses for accompanying family (contact Ellen Sjöholm for further information). The selected Matariki Fellows are posted abroad on so-called URA contracts. Contracts are drawn up jointly between the department and the Human Resources Division. The expatriation means that the employee receives a salary as usual from the department. Insurance is included in the stay.
The Vice-Chancellor allocates the funds after consulting with the Disciplinary Domains. Application must include:
- Application form (including a project description, in which the purpose of the stay must be clearly stated, a certificate from the head of the department at Uppsala University and budget)
- Letter of invitation from the host university
- CV and publication list for the applicant
The application must be signed by the Head of Department who thereby approves to the activity in the application and assures that any potential extra costs, which are not covered through the ”Matariki Fellowship programme”, will be covered by the department. The head of department must justify why the project is of strategical value.
Standard amounts
Travel and housing expenses and substitute teachers are funded in standard amounts as follows (revised 2023):
- Housing 10 000 SEK per month.
- Substitute teacher 80 000 SEK per month (incl LKP).
- Travelling:
- 8 000 SEK for travels within Europe.
- 12 000 SEK for travels to North America.
- 20 000 SEK for travels to Australia and New Zeeland.
- An additional funding of 3 000 SEK for employees at Campus Gotland.
For questions, please contact Ellen Sjöholm.