Opportunities
Global research and innovation funding gateway
Our 'Global research and innovation funding gateway' is a regularly updated bank of funding opportunities for international research collaboration and knowledge exchange, aimed at UK-based researchers and institutions.
Current opportunities
Mitacs Globalink Research Internships, Canada
Globalink Research Internship is a competitive Canadian internship programme that gives UK undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research abroad as part of their degree. Find out more.
Thouron Award
We work with the Thouron Award to help promote the prestigious scholarship programme. With the Thouron Award, UK graduates can study a postgraduate programme at the University of Pennsylvania. Applications open mid-July.
Past opportunities
UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology researcher mobility scheme
The UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology researcher mobility scheme is available exclusively to UUK member institutions. This scheme supports research and innovation partnerships between UK higher education institutions and France, carrying out work that aligns closely with Horizon Europe and/or other international collaborative funding programmes. Applications closed on Sunday 12 January 2025. Find out more.
UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology pump-priming grants scheme
The UK-France Science, Innovation and Technology pump-priming scheme is a grant opportunity exclusively for UUK members. This competitive programme of grants welcomed applications for activities that support the development of partnerships between the UK and France relating to research and innovation, with a goal of submitting a Horizon Europe application. Applications closed on Friday 29 November 2024 at 5pm (GMT). Find out more.
UK-Israel innovation research mobility scheme (call 1)
This one way mobility scheme allows UK higher education institutions to support their researchers at all career stages to develop skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. The scheme enables UK-based researchers to enhance existing partnerships with institutions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) while at the same time supporting the international capacity building and professional development of up-and-coming and established researchers. This scheme is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
More information about the scheme can be found on the scheme page. Applications to these scheme closed on 30 January, 2023.
UK-Ukraine R&I twinning grants scheme
The UK-Ukraine R&I twinning grants scheme provides funding for higher education institutions who are currently participating in the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative, coordinated by the Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG). It offers strategic support to develop bespoke programmes of work which will address the reciprocal R&I needs of partnered Ukrainian and UK higher education institutions and researchers on the long term. This scheme is funded by Research England and their £5m investment will be awarded through UUKi.
More information about the scheme can be found on the scheme page. Applications for the grants scheme closed on 16 January 2023.
Newton Fund
We support delivery of the Newton Fund, helping the higher education sector to access funding for international research collaboration and applicants to connect with host institutions in the UK. Read more.
UK-Israel innovation research mobility scheme (call 2)
The second call for applications for the UK – Israel innovation researcher mobility scheme is now closed. This scheme enables UK higher education institutions (HEIs) to support their UK based researchers and research related staff to develop innovation and / or entrepreneurial skills and enhance existing or build new partnerships with institutions in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
This scheme welcomes applications from all research disciplines for projects that can demonstrate their innovation and entrepreneurial skills enhancement. Find out more and apply on the webpage here.
UK India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI)
The UK India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI) funds collaborative activity between India and the UK in academic leadership, research and skills. The UKIERI Mobility Programme: Study in India provides flexible grants to UK higher education providers (HEPs) and their Indian partner institutions to design and deliver academically rigorous short-term mobility opportunities in India for undergraduate (or equivalent) students from UK HEPs. Find out more.
Invitation to tender - ‘Responding to international humanitarian crises: lessons from the UK higher education sector response to the invasion of Ukraine’
Universities UK (UUK) invited tenders for a research project to analyse the UK higher education sector's response to the invasion of Ukraine so they can better support those affected by future international humanitarian crises.
The main aims of this tender was to provide an overview and identify the factors that both facilitate and limit different types of responses from different stakeholders; develop a framework of policy and practical options for institutions, and make recommendations to universities, funders, and government to ensure all stakeholders are better prepared to support those affected by future international humanitarian crises.
More information about this open tender and the full version of the invitation to tender (ITT) document can be found on this webpage.