Call for Expression of Interest

RESEARCH SUMMIT / Texas Tech-IOHE

2. Specific Objectives of the Mission

• Promote connections between researchers and institutions with shared research interests.
• Identify opportunities for scientific collaboration and the development of joint projects.
• Facilitate the exchange of best practices in research internationalization.
• Strengthen institutional capacities for international scientific cooperation.
• Share funding opportunities for collaborative research projects.

3. Research Priorities

Exploring partnerships will focus on the following research priorities: 

• Systems Resilience and Security
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• One Health
• Sustainable Energy Future
• Rural and Urban Development

4. Participant Profile

This call is aimed at IOHE-OUI member higher education institutions interested in strengthening bilateral research relations between the U.S. and Latin America. Participation is expected from researchers and administrators involved in graduate studies and research, with the following profile:

• Interest in strengthening areas of collaboration with HEIs members in Latin America.
• Interest in developing joint research projects in priority areas of shared interest.
• Interest in addressing issues with territorial or regional impact.
• Commitment to seeking and/or mobilizing resources to develop joint research projects.
• Interest in strengthening research internationalization strategies.

Each delegation visiting the U.S. may consist of up to two (2) representatives, ideally including one researcher and one research director. All participants are expected to have completed the online matchmaking phase.

5. Working Methodology

The academic mission will be supported by a matchmaking methodology that will allow for the identification of common areas of interest among participating institutions, facilitate connections between researchers with similar research lines, and organize bilateral meetings to explore collaboration opportunities

6. Mission Phases

A maximum of 20 Latin American HEIs will be selected for this research mission, connecting them with researchers from Texas Tech University and other OUI/IOHE member institutions in the U.S. After the Texas Tech Lubbock campus visit, delegates will also have the chance to visit other pre-identified U.S. institutions taking part in this exchange.

 a. Call and Selection of Participants

• Call dissemination among IOHE-OUI member institutions in the U.S. and Latin America.
• Application evaluation.
• Selection and confirmation of participating institutions.

b. Strategic Matchmaking

• Collection of institutional information and research capacities.
• Identification of researchers and potential projects.
• Analysis of research interests and capacities.
• Matchmaking meetings (virtual).
• Organization of informational sessions or webinars.
• Definition of the visit agenda in the United States.

c. Academic Mission and On-Site Visits

• Logistical organization of the mission.
• Meetings among researchers.
• Institutional visits.

d. Closure and Follow-Up

• Feedback session among participating institutions.
• Evaluation of mission outcomes.
• Preparation of final report.

7. Important Dates

PHASE	ACTIVITIES	DATE
Call Launch	Dissemination of the call	August 3, 2026
Call Deadline	Closing of application form	September 30, 2026
Selection of Participating Institutions	Review and selection of participants	October 31, 2026
Strategic Matchmaking	Data collection and analysis for matchmaking, virtual meetings	Sept 2026-Jan 2027
Visit Agenda	Preparation of visit agenda, logistical coordination	Feb – May 2027
Academic Mission and Institutional Visits	Bilateral meetings, institutional visits, and thematic work sessions	June 14-16, 2027
Closure and Follow-Up	Evaluation of results, final report	July 2027

8. Funding

The academic mission will be co-funded through contributions from the organizing and participating institutions:

• Participating Latin American institutions will assume all costs associated with their representatives, including international and domestic airfare, visas, travel insurance, and health insurance.
• Texas Tech University will cover accommodation and meals for one representative per Latin American institution during the visit to the Lubbock campus (most meals will be provided for all summit participants).
• The Inter-American Organization for Higher Education will provide overall project coordination and lead the implementation of the strategic matchmaking process.