International Research Funding Circular – 26 September 2025

Please see the latest European and International research funding information, event and opportunity updates.

2026-27 DRAFT Work programme call topics

News

 

1. NEW: Summary of key themes from the European Research and Innovation Days 2025: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/news/summary-of-key-themes-from-the-european-research-and-innovation-days-2025/

Highlighting strategic priorities such as AI leadership, Horizon Europe simplification, talent mobility, and innovation scaling across the EU.

2. NEW: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 Handbook and Submission Guide published: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/news/msca-doctoral-networks-2025-handbook-and-submission-guide-published/

Now available on the National Contact Point (NCP) portal. These documents provide advice on the various aspects of the proposal development, breaking it down into different sections and subchapters, and the submission process.

 

Events

 

3. NEW: ResearchConnect Funding Database Training webinar, 14:00-15:15, 06 November: https://forms.office.com/e/RDB7gt7eiE

ResearchConnect is an online tool that you can use to search for a wide range of research and innovation funding opportunities, from national, international and regional funders (which Newcastle University subscribes to). Join Martin Clancy, ResearchConnect Senior Manager, for a training session in how to use the system.  This session is for all academic, research and professional services staff interested in research funding.

4. NEW: RENKEI 2025 Edward Boyle Memorial Lecture online, 10:00-11:15, 10 October 2025: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edward-boyle-lecture-tickets-1668434054169?aff=oddtdtcreator

This year’s lecture will explore the interdisciplinary nature of global collaboration and showcase the impactful work supported by RENKEI, a partnership between research-intensive leading universities in Japan and the UK, aiming to further knowledge exchange and research collaboration between institutions and individuals.

5. Lump Sum funding in Horizon Europe webinar, 09:00-11:00 UK time, 02 October (and recorded): https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event251002.htm

Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a lump sum proposal? Practical experience with lump sum grants.

 

 

European related funding

 

6. NEW: Fondation Luciole Grand Prize 2026 for Ecological Transition: https://www.institutdefrance.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Call_for_applications_GP_Luciole_2026.pdf

The Fondation Luciole’s Grand Prize aims to recognise social initiatives or scientific research dedicated to the ecological transition, in France and internationally, particularly in the following areas: • Protection of nature and biodiversity. • Ecological transition, particularly in the fields of agriculture, industry, transportation, energy, consumption and communal living.    • Prevention of natural or health hazards. • Education on the ecological transition. The Prize consists of a grant of €100,000. Deadline 18 December 2025.

 

7. REMINDER: UUKi UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology pump-priming scheme – call two: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/topics/international/uk-france-science-innovation-and-1

This programme of competitive grants is available to use in the context of research and innovation partnerships with France. We are welcoming creative applications from institutions for activities that support the development of new, recently established or dormant partnerships between the UK and France as they relate to research and innovation, with a goal of developing and submitting a Horizon Europe application building on their grant idea for the first time. Priority will be given to those with a particular focus on: • energy transition and hydrogen, • space and earth observation, • artificial intelligence including ethics, • quantum. Deadline 13 October 2025.

 

8. Horizon Europe – Work Programmes 2026-27 early drafts pre-published – SUMMARY CALL TOPICS ATTACHED

The European Commission have pre-published early drafts of the 2026-27 call topics for a number of the clusters and missions (to download work programmes see here: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/news/insight-into-horizon-europe-work-2026-2027-programmes/). For convenience, we have put together summary tables of all call topic titles in the attached Excel spreadsheets – please use these to browse any topics that are of interest to you and that you may be able to contribute to. Once you have identified a topic(s) of interest, please search their call reference within the relevant full Work Programme PDF available via the above link. Please note newer leaked drafts can also be found on Science Business website: https://sciencebusiness.net/horizon-papers Keep checking this site regularly for updated versions.

 

9. European Research Council 2026 Work Programme adopted: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/erc-work-programme-2026-adopted

The 2026 Work Programme confirms a number of key changes recently set out by the ERC. This includes a change of structure to ERC applications, which will now consist of a concise five-page Part I outlining the scientific idea and objectives, and a more detailed Part II focused on implementation and methodology. Feasibility will now only be assessed at Step 2 of evaluation.

The grants and their scheduled opening and deadline dates are as follows:

  • Starting Grants – For promising early career researchers with 2 to 7 years’ experience after PhD: Opening 9 July 2025, closing 14 October 2025.
  • Consolidator Grants – For excellent researchers with 7 to 12 years’ experience after PhD: Opening 25 September 2025, closing 13 January 2026.
  • Advanced Grants – For established research leaders with a recognised track record of research achievements: Opening 28 May 2026, closing 27 August 2026.
  • Synergy Grants – For groups of two to four PIs to address ambitious research questions requiring coordinated work: Opening 10 June 2025, closing 5 November 2025.
  • Proof of Concept Grants – For PIs engaged in ERC-funded research projects to fund further work to verify the potential of ideas arising from ERC funded projects: Opening 13 November 2025, cut-off dates: 13 March 2026, 17 September 2026.
  • Public Engagement with Research Award – For ERC-funded PIs who have engaged audiences beyond academia in the course of their research and research communication activities: Opening: 14 October 2025, closing 15 January 2026.

A new funding instrument under the Choose Europe for Science initiative (grant of €7M over 7 years for all career stages) is also in development by the ERC Scientific Council, with details following in due course (expected closing date ~September 2026). ERC recently hosted an online webinar including Q&A, visible here.

10.  COST Actions Networking Grants 2025: https://www.cost.eu/funding/open-call-a-simple-one-step-application-process/

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research, including social science and humanities. COST does not fund research itself, but funds the expenses of interdisciplinary research networks called COST Actions (networks that engage a team of proposers from at least 7 COST member countries with at least half from inclusiveness target countries). These support a range of networking tools, such as workshops, conferences, training schools, short-term scientific missions (STSMs), communication activities, and virtual networking tools. COST Actions enable researchers from academia, SMEs, public institutions and other relevant organisations to investigate a topic of their choice for four years. No budget forecast is requested when submitting a proposal. An estimated €125,000 is made available for a COST Action in its first year and an average of €150,000 per year for the other three years. Deadline is 21 October 2025.

 

11. MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

The MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 are a funding opportunity that aims to train doctoral candidates in research and innovation, with a focus on developing skills relevant for both academic and non-academic sectors. The program supports three implementation modes: Standard Doctoral Networks, Joint Doctorates, and Industrial Doctorates. Applicants apply as a consortium network and with each beneficiary institution/organisation typically hosting a couple of PhD students each. Deadline 25 November 2025.

 

12. Quantum Technologies (QuantERA II) 2025 call pre-announcement: https://quantera.eu/call-2025/

QuantERA II is a European Research Area network focused on quantum technologies (QT). It has issued a pre-announcement of a new call in Quantum Sciences and Technologies scheduled to launch in September 2025. The Call will comprise of two topics: Quantum Phenomena and Resources (QPR) and Applied Quantum Science (AQS). Projects are expected to address one or more of the following research areas: Quantum communication, Quantum computing, Quantum simulation, Quantum sensing and metrology, General quantum science. Projects are expected to last for 24 to 36 months. The project consortia must have a minimum of three eligible partners requesting funding in at least three of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. The call will be announced in September 2025 with deadline 5 December 2025.

 

13. European Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance R&I call 2025 pre-announcement: https://ohamr.eu/2025/06/12/research-call-2025/

The first EUP OHAMR joint transnational call will be within the focus area of providing innovative and cost-effective treatment options. The call will be launched in November 2025. The potential research objectives for this call will be as outlined in the EUP OHAMR Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda:

  • To develop new antimicrobials, novel treatment protocols or alternative treatment strategies against Human Infectious diseases along with their respective diagnostics.
  • To improve, preserve and reinforce the clinical efficacy of the current treatment antimicrobials.
  • Identification of barriers to access, availability, quality and uptake of therapeutic solutions and development of solutions to overcome those barriers.
  • Assessment and prediction of the impact of economic incentives and regulations on drug development, drug production, drug supply and treatment availability.

 

14. John Hansen Research Grant Offers €240,000 for Research on Treatments for Haematological Diseases https://professional.dkms.org/research-publications/research-grant  

The annual John Hansen Research Grant is an international programme by the German Bone Marrow Donor Agency DKMS. The programme offers support for scientists in the field of blood cancer whose research relates to hematopoietic cell transplantation and cell therapy for haematological diseases. Funding of up to €240,000 per project is provided for a maximum period of three years. DKSM selects up to four projects each year. Applications for the 2026 grants are now open. Deadline: 20 November 2025.

15. New SPRIND Challenge Offers Up to €5 Million for Research on Tech Metal Recovery and Recycling https://www.sprind.org/en/actions/challenges/tech-metal

The German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation SPRIND has issued a new funding initiative for innovative research and development projects. The Tech Metal Transformation Challenge aims to develop and validate processes for recovering critical metals from complex waste streams, including electronic waste and batteries. The challenge focuses on creating an end-to-end recycling process that is environmentally sustainable and efficient. The 36-month programme is structured into three consecutive 12-month stages—beginning with validation and proof-of-concept (TRL 2/3 to TRL 4) supported by up to €1.5 million, followed by process integration and efficiency enhancement (TRL 4 to TRL 5/6) with a funding cap of €2 million, and culminating in demonstration and scalability (TRL 5/6 to TRL 7) with up to €2.5 million in support Deadline: 7 November 2025

16. Eni Award Open for Innovations in Energy and the Environment https://www.eni.com/en-IT/strategic-vision/innovation/eni-awards.html

Launched in 2008, the Eni Award is an international award aiming to promote and reward research and technological innovation in energy. In particular, proposals are welcome that are devoted to promoting the use of breakthrough, experimental and innovative technologies, processes and tools, enabling a holistic perspective, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The awards consist of an indivisible sum of €200,000 (for Energy Frontiers, Advanced Environmental Solutions and Energy Transition awards) and an indivisible sum of €25,000 (for Young Researcher of the Year and Young Talents from Africa awards). Winners also receive a customised plaque. Deadline: 14 November 2025.

 

17. Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking 2nd Call for Proposals 2025: https://rail-research.europa.eu/participate/call-for-proposals/

All rail specific research and innovation in Horizon Europe is managed by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU). Their second call for proposals for 2025 is due to launch soon and they are holding an online only information session on 10th October 2025. The full details of the forthcoming call for proposals can be seen on pages 153 to 253 in the published Work Programme. There is €148.2m available across the following Topics (each Topic is a specific competition with its own share of the budget):

  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA1-TT-01: Network management planning and control & mobility management in a multimodal environment and digital enablers
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA2-01: Digital & automatic up to automated train operations
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA3-01: Intelligent & integrated asset management
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA4-01: A sustainable and green rail system
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA5-01: Sustainable competitive digital green rail freight services
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA6-01: Regional rail services / innovative rail services to revitalise capillary lines
  • HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-EXPLR-01: Studies on rail industry 5.0

To be able to meet potential consortium partners, ERJU are holding an in-person only Brokerage Event in Birmingham on 13th October. This will be attended by some of the team from ERJU, existing project participants and innovators from the rail sector across Europe.

 

18. AQUARIUS Transnational Access Programme for Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Research: https://aquarius-ri.eu/access/

AQUARIUS is a four-year Horizon Europe-funded project that targets and supports research and innovation activities that contribute to the objectives, regional scope and implementation of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.’ The project provides access to a diverse suite of integrated research infrastructures to address challenges and explore opportunities for the long-term sustainability of Europe’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. AQUARIUS offers free transnational access to European research infrastructures to support research that informs evidence-based marine and freshwater policies, with the ultimate goal of protecting ecosystems, reducing pollution, and promoting a sustainable blue economy. The budget per project could be in the order of up to €1 million, or more for larger projects that integrate multiple infrastructures. Deadline 28 October 2025.

 

19. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/27 for British researchers: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships#1658819252

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships give early-stage British researchers (Master’s degree or recent PhD) the opportunity to pursue a research project at postgraduate, doctoral or postdoctoral level at any of Switzerland’s universities or national research institutes. Applicants need to propose a research project that is supported by an academic supervisor at their institution of choice. Maximum duration is 12 months for research projects and 36 months for pursuing a PhD. Deadline 5 December 2025.

 

Official development assistance (ODA) related funding

 

20. British Council: institutional call to host Women in STEM scholars, within ODA spirit: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/apply-now-host-women-stem-scholars

Through this project, the British Council will be able to fund at least 45 full scholarships, covering all academic and living expenses, for women to study full-time, a 1-year master’s programme in the UK beginning in Sep/Oct 2026. This call seeks proposals from UK Higher Education and research institutions, with a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI),and Anti Racism who wish to host Master’s scholars.  For all eligible countries, please consider that the programmes selected should meet the spirit of ODA, with the potential to focus on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD DAC list (all countries included in this Call are on the DAC list). This call is open for UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or degree-awarding Research Institutions to host cohorts of five master’s students each. The grant amount for each cohort is £200,000 (a Higher Education Institute is eligible to host only one cohort). Deadline 24 October 2025.

 

21. British Council: ISPF Legal Amazon Workshops Between the UK and Brazil: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/ispf-legal-amazon-workshop

The ISPF Legal Amazon Workshop grants are designed to provide financial support to bring together a UK/Brazil bilateral cohort of early career researchers to take part in workshops to meet the overarching objectives. Potential workshop topics could include, but are not limited to: • biodiversity, • climate changes, •bioeconomy or biotechnology, • improving the living conditions of the Amazon population, • land use. All applications must be for workshops between lead applicants employed at eligible UK and Brazilian Legal Amazon institutions. Size of grant is up to £55,000. Deadline 21 October 2025.

 

General international

 

22. UKRI (all councils) collaborate with researchers in São Paulo, Brazil: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/collaborate-with-researchers-in-brazil/

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and FAPESP have signed a memorandum of understanding to support collaborative applications. It provides for a lead agency assessment whereby participant UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Brazil-based researchers from the state of São Paulo on behalf of both organisations. UKRI and FAPESP will co-fund applications submitted to participant UKRI councils’ selected responsive mode funding opportunities. No deadline.

23. STFC Africa-UK physics partnership collaborative projects 2025: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/africa-uk-physics-partnership-collaborative-projects-2025/

Apply for funding for collaborative physics projects addressing the challenges of climate change, energy, and capacity building, across African economies. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funding and have a project co-lead based at an eligible research organisation in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda. STFC will fund five to 10 projects for up to 24 months (total fund amount is £3 million). Deadline 23 October 2025.

 

24. WADA’s 2026 Social Science Research Grant Program: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-launches-call-proposals-2026-social-science-research-grant-program

WADA’s Social Science Research (SSR) Grant Program (SSRP) is a key tool through which the Agency facilitates and funds social science research that develops evidence-informed approaches to clean sport and doping prevention. Objectives for the programme are established in WADA’s Social Science Research Strategy 2025-2029, which aims to maximise benefits for WADA stakeholders and address challenges within the field of social science research as it relates to clean sport. Grants across three tiers are available up to $150k. Webinar on 16 October with deadline 24 November 2025.

 

25. 2025 Fyssen International Scientific Prize in Cognition: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-launches-call-proposals-2026-social-science-research-grant-program

The Fyssen International Prize is awarded on an annual basis to recognise world-leading researchers who have furthered understanding of specified aspects of cognition.

Each year’s competition focuses on a specific topic; the topic for the 2025 Prize is “Neurobiological foundations of human cognition”. Nomination deadline 07 November 2025.

 

26. Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Azrieli Global Scholars — 2026-2028 Cohort: https://cifar.ca/next-generation/global-scholars/

CIFAR’s mission is to bring together outstanding researchers from across disciplines and borders to address important challenges facing the world. Within the framework of the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars programme, researchers will have the opportunity to expand their network, to collaborate across disciplines and to explore novel ideas with unrestricted research support. The 2025 call for applications is focused on the following areas: • Child and Brain Development; • CIFAR MacMillan Multiscale Human; • Future Flourishing; • Humanity’s Urban Future; • Learning in Machines & Brains; • Quantum Materials. Eligible applicants are researchers with a PhD (or equivalent) and within the first five years of a full-time academic position from anywhere in the world. The maximum funding is CAD $100,000 in unrestricted research support for a duration of two years. Deadline 05 November 2025.

27. ACLS Two 2026 Buddhist Studies Calls https://www.acls.org/programs/robert-h-n-ho-family-foundation-in-buddhist-studies/

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has announced two additional opportunities under its Buddhist Studies initiative, supported by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global. The first, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars, offers early-career scholars one-year placements (renewable for a second year) at institutions such as the Lion’s Roar Foundation, The Courtauld Institute of Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, and the Tricycle Foundation. The second call, The Robert H N Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies is available to universities worldwide, including those in the UK, and offers up to $300,000 over four years to support the creation of new teaching positions in Buddhist Studies. Deadline: 27 January 2026.

28. Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Funding Opportunities https://www.acu.ac.uk/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities-calendar/

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is currently offering a range of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for university staff and students. These opportunities provide valuable support for research, professional development, and academic collaboration across the Commonwealth. View the ACU Funding Calendar (opportunities also listed below) to see upcoming deadlines throughout the year and plan your applications in advance. Please note that the ACU grants offer is under review and may be subject to change.

  • Early Career Conference Grants Enable emerging researchers to attend/take part in conferences at other Commonwealth universities. Opens 2nd September 2025. Deadline 4th November 2025.
  • HR in HE Community Grants Supporting projects for HR professionals at ACU member universities. Opens 2nd September 2025. Deadline 4th November 2025.
  • Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for 2026/27 (application cycle 1) Fully-funded scholarships to study in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Opens 19 November 2025. Deadline 14 January 2026.
  • Supporting Research Community Training Grants Funding staff at ACU member universities to organise and deliver training for their early career researchers. Opens 4 February 2026. Deadline 8 April 2026.
  • Gender Grants Funding projects that promote gender equity and equality on university campuses. Opens 5 March 2026. Deadline 6 May 2026.
  • Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for 2026/27 (application cycle 2) Fully-funded scholarships to study in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Opens 9 April 2026. Deadline 3 June 2026.
  • ACU Fellowships Funding collaborative research and the exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas between ACU members. Opens 28 April 2026. Deadline 25 June 2026.

29. 2026 Lupus Insight Prize https://www.lupusresearch.org/for-researchers/funding-opportunities/insight-prize/

The Lupus Insight Prize provides research funds to an outstanding investigator with a documented record of creativity, innovation and productivity and who has made a novel insight and/or discovery in an area of research that is applicable to the pathogenesis or treatment of lupus. Awardees will have a high likelihood of generating further significant advances by applying the insight to lupus. The prize will be given for a specific, significant and recent (within the past five years) discovery that is relevant to lupus. The research may be basic, clinical or translational in nature. Grant recipients are required to attend the Lupus Research Alliance Annual Scientific Conference, Forum for Discovery, each year. Travel funds, provided by the grant award, should be used to attend this meeting. Deadline 1 December 2025.

30. AHRC/EPSRC to Host International Artificial Intelligence Humanities Sandpit https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/artificial-intelligence-humanities-sandpits-canada-uk-and-us/

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) will shortly be inviting applicants to attend a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit focused on putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design. here are two elements to the sandpit process: (1) An expressions of interest stage where sandpit attendees will be decided, (2)The sandpit itself where attendees will form teams, develop project ideas and submit an application for research funding. Up to four grants will be provided to support proposals developed through the sandpit. All research must involve meaningful collaboration between humanities or arts scholars and technical AI researchers. Deadline: 31 October 2025

 

31. Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (GBSF) grant funding: http://www.gbsf.org.uk/grants/overview/

The Foundation’s aim is to develop good relations between the United Kingdom and Japan by advancing the education of the people of both nations in each other’s culture, society and achievements. It seeks to promote mutual understanding and cooperation through financial support for activities in the following fields: • Arts and Culture • Humanities and Social Issues • Japanese Language • Medicine and Health • Science, Technology and Environment • Sport • Youth and Education. The Foundation’s awards are intended to provide “pump-priming” and not core funding of projects. Standard travel grants between the UK and Japan are £2,000, and up to £2,500 for visits of more than two weeks. This also includes travel for PhD students from UK universities wishing to visit Japan for dissertation research or to complete fieldwork. Applications for longer-term fieldwork of six months or more in Japan can be considered, with grants of up to £5,000. The UK office holds three annual awards meetings, with remaining application deadline on 15th December.

 

Project Initiation Form (PIF): https://www.cognitoforms.com/NewcastleUniversity1/NewcastleUniversityNuTHProjectInitiationFormV2

If you’re in the process of developing a research proposal please ensure you submit a PIF as soon as possible. The PIF is not just a mechanism to initiate a costing, it enables the research support team to identify and engage on your behalf the varying types of research and business support beneficial to your bid. Please note you don’t need to define all resources required before engaging with the team. To maximise the support available to you, PIF submission is advised at your earliest convenience.

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