These schemes are for scientists based in the UK who want to stimulate collaborations with leading scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel.
Locations of collaborators on the International Exchanges Schemes (2011-2017).
The Standard Programme is available for travel to/from all countries outside the UK. The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit.
The Standard Programme includes the potential to also be funded through specific funds:
Royal Society - Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation International Exchanges Award:
Supported by the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation, for collaborations with researchers in India. Further information can be found in the Standard Programme scheme notes.
Royal Society - Sino-British Trust Foundation (SBFT) International Exchanges Award:
Supported by the Sino-British Trust Foundation (SBFT), for collaborations with researchers in China. Further information can be found in the Standard Programme scheme notes.
The Royal Society also partners with the following bodies to co-fund International Exchanges awards through a Cost Share scheme:
This entails the UK applicant submitting a proposal to the Royal Society for up to £12,000 and the overseas applicant simultaneously submitting a proposal for an additional amount up to/equivalent to £12,000 to the partner organisation, with whom the Royal Society has a funding agreement. Further information can be found in the Cost Share programme scheme notes.
Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.
You can apply for this scheme if both you and the overseas co-applicant:
Collaborations should be based on a single project and travel can only take place between the UK and a country where the overseas collaborator is based. In the case of cost share applications, a relationship between both parties should already be established prior to making an application.
The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit. You can request:
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 Exchanges Panel.
You will be notified of the result of the application process four months after the closing date of the round you have applied for.
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 the assessment process.
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 international.exchanges@royalsociety.org or +44 20 7451 2666. Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:
For more information regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on international.exchanges@royalsociety.org or visit our contact us page.