Wales-Ireland Early Career Researcher Mobility Scheme (UK)

Deadline: 17-Oct-2026

The Wales-Ireland Early Career Researcher Mobility Scheme provides grants of up to £2,000 to support early career researchers in Wales undertaking short research visits to Ireland. The scheme supports visits of one to six weeks for primary research, collaboration, networking, access to equipment or training, and development of partnerships for future international research funding.

About the Wales-Ireland Early Career Researcher Mobility Scheme

The Wales-Ireland Early Career Researcher Mobility Scheme supports early career researchers in Wales who want to undertake short research visits to Ireland. The scheme is designed to help researchers conduct primary research, establish new collaborations, build international networks, access research equipment or training, and develop partnerships that can lead to future collaborative funding opportunities. The visits can also help researchers strengthen partnerships for international funding applications, including Horizon Europe bids. What Does the Scheme Support? The scheme supports research visits to Ireland lasting between one and six weeks.

Supported activities can include:

- Conducting primary research. - Building new research collaborations. - Developing international research networks. - Accessing equipment available in Ireland. - Undertaking relevant training available in Ireland. - Developing partnerships for future collaborative funding. - Strengthening partnerships for international funding applications, including Horizon Europe bids. Research Priorities Proposed research must align with the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030.

Relevant areas include:

- Political and official engagement. - Climate, energy, environment and sustainability. - Economy and trade. - Education, research and innovation. - Culture, language and heritage. - Communities, diaspora and sport. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed visit connects with one or more of these areas. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants can request up to £2,000 for an eligible research visit. Projects requesting less than £1,000 are not eligible for funding. The requested amount should reflect the actual eligible costs of the proposed visit and must be fully itemised. What Costs Can the Grant Cover? Funding can support eligible costs associated with the research visit, including: - Travel. - Subsistence. - Accommodation. - Project planning and development. - Research assistance, excluding salaries or wages. - Small items such as software or photocopying. Costs for software or photocopying and similar small items are limited to £400. Receipts and Reimbursement Requirements All expenses must be fully itemised and supported by receipts. Only expenditure that is properly vouched will be reimbursed. Applicants should therefore maintain complete records of their eligible expenditure and retain the required receipts for reimbursement. Research Visit Duration The scheme supports visits lasting between: - One week, at minimum. - Six weeks, at maximum. The visit should be structured around clear research, collaboration, training, or partnership-development objectives. Project Timeline

Projects are expected to:

- Start from February 2027. - Be completed by 29 October 2027. Applicants should ensure that their proposed research visit can be completed within the required project period.

Eligibility Extensions

Eligibility extensions are available in certain circumstances, including

- Parental leave. - Illness. - Caring responsibilities. The scheme has detailed policies covering maternity, paternity, parental, and long-term illness leave. Applicants whose career or research timeline has been affected by these circumstances should review the relevant eligibility provisions when preparing their application. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the scheme’s requirements concerning their connection to Wales, career stage, and research experience.

Eligible applicants must either:

- Be self-employed or working independently in Wales with a demonstrable commitment to research, or - Hold a temporary or permanent contract with a Welsh employing organisation for the full duration of the grant. Early Career Researcher Requirement Applicants must be at an early career stage.

Normally, applicants should have:

- Less than seven years of research or relevant professional experience. - Not yet established significant research independence. The scheme is therefore intended for researchers who are still developing their research careers and international collaborations. Are PhD Students Eligible? No. PhD students are not eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the scheme’s early career researcher requirements through the specified employment or independent research arrangements. Research Independence The scheme is aimed at researchers who have not yet established significant research independence. Applicants should demonstrate that the proposed visit will help them develop their research experience, collaborations, networks, and future international opportunities. How to Prepare a Strong Application A strong application should clearly explain the purpose and expected benefits of the proposed research visit to Ireland.

Applicants should describe:

- The research objectives. - Why the visit to Ireland is necessary. - The primary research to be undertaken. - Potential collaborators or partnerships. - Any equipment or training that will be accessed. - How the visit will strengthen research networks. - How the visit could support future international collaboration. - Potential contribution to future funding applications. - Alignment with the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030. - A detailed breakdown of the requested costs. Applicants should also ensure that the requested amount is at least £1,000 and that all proposed expenditure is eligible and can be supported with receipts. Building Future Research Partnerships An important objective of the scheme is to help early career researchers es