LSE and Tecnológico de Monterrey announce new Democracy Research Fund

The London School of Economics and Political Science and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Tec de Monterrey) have announced the LSE-Tec de Monterrey Democracy Research Fund, a joint strategic seed funding scheme designed to support cutting-edge research addressing the pressures facing democratic systems worldwide.

Democratic systems everywhere are being tested by polarisation, a resurgence of populism, misinformation, declining institutional legitimacy, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. This new fund brings together complementary expertise from the UK and Mexico to examine these challenges with analytical depth and comparative perspective. It will foster rigorous, forward-looking research rooted in a shared commitment to understanding and safeguarding democracy in an era of profound global change.

Seed funding will support LSE and Tec de Monterrey researchers working together on projects examining democratic crises, elections and participation, misinformation, institutional legitimacy, and democracy's place in a shifting global order.

Through this initiative, LSE and Tec de Monterrey reaffirm their commitment to excellent democratic scholarship, supporting pilot studies, comparative inquiries, innovative methodological approaches, and collaborative academic exchanges. This will lay the foundations for substantive long-term partnerships and future external funding.

Welcoming the announcement, LSE President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Larry Kramer, commented: "This partnership with Tec de Monterrey reflects LSE's commitment to advancing research on democracy at a moment when that work matters more than ever. By pooling our institutions' expertise, we can support scholarship that speaks directly to the challenges facing democratic governance today."

Edna Jaime, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Government at Tecnológico de Monterrey commented: "At Tecnológico de Monterrey, we believe that the world's most pressing democratic challenges require global academic collaboration. Our partnership with LSE will strengthen research networks, foster new ideas and generate knowledge that advances democracy and creates meaningful public impact."

Applications are now open, with a deadline of Thursday 15 October 2026. Details on how to apply are available here.