AHRC Working with Brazilian Researchers: Applicant-led Mode in UK

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), with co-funding from the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), invites applicant-led collaborative research grant applications to support arts and humanities researchers working with Brazilian researchers in the State of São Paulo. The opportunity is delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and uses a joint AHRC–FAPESP agreement. The UKRI Funding Service opening date is 23 September 2026 (9:00am UK time); there is no closing date listed. Opportunity at a Glance

- Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

- Co-funder: State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

- Opportunity type: Grant (collaborative research grant application)

- Funding range (UK hosted element): £300,000 to £1,500,000 (full economic cost, FEC)

- AHRC contribution: 80% of the UK hosted FEC

- FAPESP contribution: Funds all justified Brazilian costs submitted through FAPESP’s SAGe system

- Maximum project duration: Four years

- Project start timing: Projects must start at least nine months after the application submission date

- Eligible geography (Brazil partner): State of São Paulo, Brazil

- UK eligibility requirement: Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding

- Opening date: 23 September 2026, 9:00am UK time

- Closing date: Open – no closing date

- Application system: UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S)

About the Opportunity

This AHRC–FAPESP opportunity supports applicant-led collaborative research projects in the arts and humanities. It is designed to help researchers establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers (including beyond arts and humanities and beyond the UK), as well as with practitioners and relevant organisations outside academia. The call also aims to strengthen research careers by enabling less experienced researchers to develop expertise and progress through collaboration with senior researchers, including opportunities to lead well-defined projects. Funding and Benefits UK hosted element (AHRC funding) - The full economic cost (FEC) of the UK hosted element must be between £300,000 and £1.5 million. - AHRC will fund 80% of the UK hosted FEC. International project co-lead costs (AHRC) - Costs associated with project co-lead internationals (PcL(I)s) are funded at 100% FEC. - These PcL(I) costs must not exceed 30% of the total FEC of the project.

- Exception: The 30% cap does not apply to PcL(I)s based in a country on the OECD DAC list, excepting India and China.

- PcL(I)s from OECD DAC countries (excepting India and China) are also eligible to claim overheads support. - See the UKRI project co-lead (international) policy for further details (Not specified in the source beyond this reference). Brazilian costs (FAPESP funding) - FAPESP will fund all justified Brazilian costs submitted through SAGe. - FAPESP’s lead agency agreement guidance is referenced for details on Brazilian funding and eligible costs (Not specified in the source beyond this reference). Duration - The maximum duration of the awards is four years. Who Is Eligible? UK-based applicant requirements

You must:

- Be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. - Comply with AHRC standard research grant eligibility criteria (details are referenced in section two of the AHRC research funding guide; Not specified in the source beyond this pointer). Project team structure

Your application must include:

- A project lead, and - At least one project co-lead.

Each team member must contribute to:

Eligibility for individuals (including non-academic roles)

UKRI states you do not need to hold an academic, research, or teaching post to apply. Applications are welcomed from people working, for example, as archivists, curators, librarians, technicians, and practitioners. You are eligible to apply if you: - are actively engaged in postdoctoral research, and - have either a doctorate or can show equivalent research experience or training, and - have a level of skills, knowledge, and experience appropriate for the proposed project, and - are a member of a recognised research organisation, or have an offer of support (including use of facilities) from a recognised research organisation. Brazilian partners (State of São Paulo) - You must be based at an eligible institution in the State of São Paulo. - Before applying, you should contact FAPESP to confirm eligibility. - FAPESP will provide a confirmation letter for eligible applicants, which must be attached to the application form submitted to AHRC. - Applications should be submitted simultaneously: - by the UK-based project lead through the UKRI Funding Service, and - by the São Paulo-based project lead through SAGe. Project co-leads (including international co-leads) - Project co-leads are supported and include project co-lead internationals. - Project co-leads from outside Brazil, based in non-UK research organisations, can be included and funded by AHRC under the project co-lead (international) policy (Not specified in the source beyond this reference). Who is not eligible - The opportunity does not support project studentships (funding PhD study). Resubmissions - Uninvited resubmissions of projects submitted to UKRI will not be accepted (UKRI resubmission policy referenced; Not specified in the source beyond this pointer). Eligible Activities or Priority Areas

Projects should aim to:

- enable arts and humanities researchers to establish or enhance effective working relationships with fellow researchers (within and beyond arts and humanities, and within and beyond the UK), as well as practitioners and relevant individuals/organisations who may benefit from the research; - provide opportunities for less experienced researchers to develop expertise and careers through collaboration with senior researchers on well-defined projects and by leading projects themselves; - maximise the value of research outcomes by promoting communication and dissemi