Call for Applications: RSE International Joint Projects (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 21-Oct-2026

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) International Joint Projects provide funding for Scotland-based researchers to collaborate with academic and cultural institutions overseas on joint research projects lasting up to two years. The scheme supports international knowledge exchange and collaborative research across all academic disciplines. Researchers can apply through either a general international partnership stream or a Sister Academies stream for collaborations with institutions that have formal Memoranda of Understanding with the RSE. Funding ranges from £3,000 to £12,000 per project, with the overseas partner institution expected to provide an equivalent level of support. What Are the RSE International Joint Projects? The RSE International Joint Projects are designed to strengthen international research relationships between researchers in Scotland and their counterparts overseas. The scheme supports bilateral research partnerships that can: - Encourage international collaboration. - Facilitate knowledge exchange. - Develop new research partnerships. - Strengthen existing academic relationships. - Support joint research activities. - Create opportunities for researchers to work across institutional and national boundaries. - Advance research across different academic disciplines. Projects can involve academic or cultural institutions and should demonstrate meaningful collaboration between the Scottish and overseas partners. How Much Funding Is Available?

The RSE provides between:

- £3,000 and £12,000 per project.

Projects can run for up to:

- Two years. An important feature of the scheme is the expectation that the overseas partner institution will provide an equivalent level of financial support. The funding model is therefore designed to encourage genuine institutional commitment from both sides of the international partnership. What Are the Two Application Streams? Applicants can apply through two different streams. General International Partnership Stream This stream is available for collaborations with overseas: - Higher education institutions. - Research institutions. - Cultural institutions. It provides flexibility for Scottish researchers who wish to develop collaborative projects with international partners outside the RSE’s formal Sister Academy network. Sister Academies Stream The second stream supports collaborations with Sister Academies with which the RSE has a formal Memorandum of Understanding.

Examples include:

- Italian National Academy (CNR) - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC) Applicants considering this route should ensure that their proposed overseas institution falls within the relevant Sister Academy arrangements. What Research Areas Are Supported? The RSE International Joint Projects are open to all academic disciplines. Projects can therefore be developed across areas such as: - Natural sciences. - Social sciences. - Humanities. - Engineering. - Technology. - Arts and culture. - Environmental research. - Interdisciplinary research. The strongest projects should demonstrate a clear reason why international collaboration is important to the proposed research. Why Is International Collaboration Important? International research partnerships can bring together complementary expertise, facilities, perspectives, networks, and methodologies. The RSE scheme is designed to support collaborations that create value beyond what researchers could achieve independently. International joint projects can help researchers: - Exchange specialist knowledge. - Develop new research approaches. - Access complementary expertise. - Build long-term institutional relationships. - Share research findings. - Develop future collaborative projects. - Strengthen international research networks. What Does Bilateral Collaboration Mean? The scheme emphasizes meaningful collaboration in both directions. Visits must take place between Scotland and the overseas partner location, ensuring that the project is not structured simply as a one-way visit by one research team. This reciprocal approach is intended to support genuine knowledge exchange and joint working. Who Can Apply? The Scottish lead applicant must meet specific institutional and career-stage requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be at least at postdoctoral status. - Be employed by a Scottish institution. - Work at an eligible higher education, further education, research, or cultural institution. - Lead or participate in a suitable international collaborative research project. The overseas partner must also meet equivalent career-stage and institutional requirements. Who Can Be an Overseas Partner?

The overseas collaborator must:

- Hold a postdoctoral degree or equivalent. - Be employed by a higher education, research, or cultural institution. - Participate as an active partner in the proposed international project. The partnership should demonstrate a clear academic or research rationale for working together. Can PhD Students Participate? Yes. PhD students may be included in the project team. However, the scheme does not allow funding for: - Other postgraduate students. - Undergraduate students. Applicants should therefore distinguish between eligible PhD participation and other student categories when developing the project team and budget. What Makes a Strong International Joint Project? A competitive proposal should demonstrate that both partners will make meaningful contributions to the project.

Key elements include:

- A clear research objective. - Strong academic rationale. - Complementary expertise between the partners. - Clearly defined roles. - Meaningful bilateral collaboration. - Reciprocal visits. - Knowledge exchange. - Realistic activities and timelines. - Institutional commitment. - Potential for longer-term collaboration. The project should be more than a travel opportunity. The international partnership should be central to achi