Funder: IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Project application)
Funding Amounts: $10,000 per mentor–mentee team over about two years ($5,000 USD per year)
Summary: SPARX supports mentored robotics and automation research for faculty and experienced researchers from developing countries or recognized as scholars at risk.
Key Information: Both partners must have guaranteed university or research-institution employment throughout the collaboration.
Description
SPARX is an IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) program connecting faculty members from developing countries and countries at risk with experienced RAS mentors. A reimagining of the Development Country Faculty Engagement Program, it supports international research collaboration, academic development, and publication in RAS conferences and journals. Teams define projects around their shared research interests and expertise, with funding for collaborative research, conference participation, and project-related expenses.
The collaboration combines regular online meetings with participation in the mentor’s research activities, group meetings, and seminars, plus laboratory visits where possible. Teams work toward co-authored publications and a mentee-led paper, present their work at RAS conferences, and develop wider research connections. A SPARX Forum provides a venue for mentees to present outcomes and recognizes the best teams.
