Zapopan, Jalisco; February 23, 2026. The Universidad Panamericana UP) and the University of Notre Dame (ND) announce the official launch of the ND–UP Joint Research Grant, a bilateral research fund created to strengthen academic ties between the two institutions and promote the internationalization of research with global impact.
This joint fund stems from the academic mission carried out in July 2025 by Dr. Abraham Mendoza Andrade, Dean of the Guadalajara Campus, and Abraham Baltazar León Soto, Institutional Head of Research at the Office of the Vice President for Research, who visited the University of Notre Dame to strengthen the strategic partnership and explore new opportunities for scientific cooperation.
The initiative adapts the successful bilateral funding model previously developed with the University of La Sabana in Colombia, thereby strengthening a high-level international research network.
The launch event for the ND–UP Joint Research Grant was held virtually on February 23 and was attended by nearly 100 researchers from both institutions, reflecting the high level of academic interest and the strength of this international collaboration.
The large turnout demonstrated a shared commitment to interdisciplinary research and the development of a global scientific network with a social impact.
The University of Notre Dame’s strategic areas of focus include aerospace and mechanical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, data and artificial intelligence (AI), literature, and history, which underscores the multidisciplinary nature of the collection and broadens the possibilities for scientific collaboration between Mexico and the United States.
A strategic partnership with over a decade of collaboration
During the visit, both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to a vision of holistic education, academic excellence, and social transformation—principles that have guided the UP–ND relationship for more than a decade and have been significantly strengthened over the past five years.
In the words of Dr. Abraham Mendoza: “At Universidad Panamericana that universities should be agents of positive change. For more than a decade, we have prioritized purpose-driven research: interdisciplinary, socially relevant, and globally connected. When institutions with shared ideals come together, they inspire one another to aim higher, think big, and serve better.”
For his part, Abraham Baltazar León Soto emphasized that this achievement is the result of a year of collaborative work with Notre Dame Mexico and the strategic support of key stakeholders who championed the bilateral fund proposal.
A research fund with a clear purpose and an international reach
The ND–UP Joint Research Grant aims to support interdisciplinary projects involving researchers from both universities that are aligned with institutional strategic priorities. The call for proposals actively promotes academic mobility for faculty and students, as well as the sustainability of projects beyond the initial funding period.
Through this fund, both universities aim to:
- Promote bilateral research projects with the potential for external funding.
- Strengthen academic and student mobility.
- Generate high-impact knowledge in strategic areas such as sustainability, health, social transformation, ethics, technology, and innovation.
- Build a long-term partnership with a global impact.
Internationalization of Research and a Vision for the Future
The partnership between the Universidad Panamericana the University of Notre Dame is built on a solid foundation that has been strengthened in recent years through high-level academic and research initiatives, thanks in part to the joint efforts of the Corporate Office of International Affairs, led by Gabriela Valdivieso, and the Notre Dame Mexico Office, headed by Maria Mercedes Salmon, whose strategic work has been fundamental in consolidating and promoting this international partnership.
Among the most significant milestones are:
- Strengthening the strategic partnership through a shared vision of innovation and human values.
- International academic workshops, such as the one held by the School of Philosophy on Aristotelian thought.
- Academic visits and international experiences, such as Dr. Jaime Olaiz’s at Notre Dame.
- Academic exchange programs and joint projects in the fields of law, ethics, public policy, and sustainability.
These initiatives reflect a mature and growing relationship, which is now taking a decisive step forward with the creation of a joint research fund.
Toward a Deeper and More Sustainable Partnership
The launch of the ND–UP Joint Research Grant marks the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between the two universities. More than just a funding mechanism, this grant represents a strategic commitment to building lasting academic bridges, generating knowledge with social impact, and strengthening an international research network based on shared values.
The Universidad Panamericana thus Universidad Panamericana its commitment to purpose-driven, global, and transformative research, convinced that collaboration among like-minded institutions is key to addressing today’s major challenges.
For information on the guidelines, dates, and requirements of the bilateral fund, please refer to the official calls for proposals:
- Call for applications at the University of Notre Dame:
https://global.nd.edu/faculty-research/grants-and-funding/notre-dame-universidad-panamericana-joint-research-grant/ - Call for applications at Universidad Panamericana:
https://www.up.edu.mx/investigacion-convocatorias/
