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/ Grants at the Royal Society

International Collaboration Awards

As part of the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF), the Royal Society has launched an award to enable outstanding UK research leaders to develop international collaborations with the best leading researchers from around the world, to work on some of the global challenges and problems facing developing countries.

This award offers an exciting opportunity to foster and promote international collaboration between outstanding research groups in the UK and overseas, with a view to supporting work on global challenges and problems facing developing countries.

The objectives of these challenge awards are to: 

  • support the development of sustainable collaborative partnerships between outstanding researchers in the UK and the best research groups in developing countries to generate new approaches to the most significant and complex problems faced by developing countries 
  • strengthen research capacity in developing countries through collaboration, sharing of knowledge and skills and exchange of staff between research groups in the UK and their partners in developing countries
  • attract outstanding international scientists from developing countries and their teams to work with the UK’s best universities and research institutions
  • support the research of the best UK scientists working in fields relevant to the Global Challenges to formulate new approaches to global development problems

Research must be within the Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, see our guidance page.

Submissions from clinically qualified scientists may be considered. The Society does not support clinical or interventional research on humans at the individual or group level, social sciences or humanities, unless otherwise stated.

Am I eligible to apply?

You can apply for this scheme if you:

  • are a UK-based researcher (lead applicant)
  • have a collaborator based overseas (overseas co-applicant)

Both the UK-based lead applicant and the overseas co-applicant should be research leaders with an established track record in their field of research. You must demonstrate evidence of leading a strong research group as well as leadership within the research community, in particular making a substantial contribution to the identification and execution of independent research. As a guide, we would expect both applicants to have at a minimum 8 years of active post-PhD research experience.

Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.

What is the scheme’s value and tenure?

This scheme provides up to £75,000 per year for up to three years and will be dependent on case for support. 

The International Collaboration Award can be used flexibly on activities directly relevant to supporting collaboration between the UK applicant, overseas co-applicant and their research groups. Requests can include:

  • research expenses 
  • travel and subsistence for the applicants or members of their team 
  • contribution towards research assistance 
  • small pieces of equipment (no more than £10,000 per item) 

What is the application process?

Applications should be submitted through the Society’s grant management system Flexi-Grant®. 

Your application will go through the process detailed on the Making a grant application page overseen by the International Collaboration Awards Panel.

Please note that confirmation of support from the UK and overseas heads of department will need to be completed before the advertised deadline in order to successfully complete and submit the application.  Your Research Office will not be able to approve your application for submission to the Royal Society until the departmental supports and application form have been completed. Applicants should bear this in mind when coordinating the completion of the application prior to submission.

The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise processes to help ensure that all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria. This includes ensuring all panel members are briefed on unconscious bias in decision making as part of our assessment process.

Support for applicants with disabilities

The Royal Society welcomes applications from scientists with disabilities and provides adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you need an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants team on collaborationawards@royalsociety.org or +44 20 7451 2666. Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

  • extension of the deadline
  • additional support to complete the application form

Read further guidance about the Global Challenge Research Fund.

For more information regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team or call us on +44 20 7451 2666.

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