International Research Funding Circular – 8th May 2026

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

News

1. NEW: Make more use of Horizon Europe funding, Zaharieva tells university alliance: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/horizon-europe/make-more-use-horizon-europe-funding-zaharieva-tells-university-alliances

EU Research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva has encouraged European university alliances to make greater use of existing Horizon Europe funding, noting that many opportunities are already available for collaborative bids led through alliances. She emphasised that this message is intended to promote stronger and easier collaboration.

2. NEW: UK backs two new focused research organisations: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/start-ups/uk-backs-two-new-focused-research-organisations

The UK is putting £21 million into two focused research organisations, novel research projects aimed at creating new scientific platforms or tools. They have proliferated in the US with funding from philanthropists and are now making their way to Europe.

Events

3. ERC Advanced Grants Webinar, Friday 19 June 2026, 10:30-12:00 UK time: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mNaqV-vazkuTDP-jhsLUf9kLpzhfw55CkU-5X4zalJVUNDU2RFZUR002MzZHNDEyUzdDR0I5VDhBQy4u                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The British Academy will be hosting its next webinar on Friday 19 June 2026, 10:30-12:00 UK time for UK based researchers in the humanities and social sciences interested in applying for European Research Council (ERC) grants. The webinar will focus on the ERC Advanced Grants.  If you would like to submit a B1 draft proposal to be considered for feedback during the webinar, please register your interest on the registration form and send your B1 draft to Barbora Krasova (b.krasova@thebritishacademy.ac.uk) no later than Thursday, 4 June at 12:00 (midday).

4. Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal? 04 June 2026, 09:00-11:00 UK time: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/docs/h2020-funding-guide/other/event260604.htm

For additional documents and links, please check dedicated lump sum page: Lump Sum funding in Horizon Europe on the Funding & Tenders Portal

5. REMINDER: REMINDER: Getting Those Grants – Early Career Research Fellowships – Places Available

Course: Getting Those Grants: Early Career Research Fellowships: The Foundations. Are you an early-career academic or research associate looking to learn more about fellowships?  This session will explain what an early-career fellowship is and to help you prepare for fellowship success. The two sessions below have places available: • Developing a fundable research idea Session 2
• Writing a successful research funding proposal  Session 3

Booking details are on the Learning Management System. Places are limited—please only book if you can attend. You can read more about all of our training at Research Funding Training.   Queries: Jo Gascoigne-Owens (Johanna.gascoigne-owens@ncl.ac.uk).

6. REMINDER: Getting those Grants: Horizon Europe Proposal Development for Consortium Projects – Monday 11th May 2026, Stephenson Building**New training offer for Newcastle University staff**

This practical one-day training course will provide a comprehensive insight into writing and submitting competitive pillar 2 proposals under the 2026-2027 calls of Horizon Europe. You will learn the main features of winning Horizon Europe proposals and get equipped with the right tools to develop your proposal with confidence. The combination of practical presentations and hands-on exercises will introduce the key aspects you need to know, from identifying the right call for your project idea to developing each section of a Horizon Europe proposal. The course is aimed at staff members that are either looking to apply or to reapply for funding for large collaborative consortium EU projects. Delivered by the Research Funding Development team. View a breakdown of the ​​full agenda​​ and register for your place via the LMS system (limited spaces).

7. Register: COST Info Day – 16 June 2026, Online, 16 June 2026, 10:00 CEST, https://www.cost.eu

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding organisation for research and innovation networks. An online session open to researchers and innovators at any career stage and from all disciplines will take place 16th June. The event will explain how to join or propose a COST Action, outline programme impacts, and highlight the benefits for early‑career researchers.

8. MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar, Online, 18 June 2026, 10:00 to 12:00 UK time:https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/msca-doctoral-networks-2026-call-information-webinar/

The event is free to attend and aimed at researchers and staff in UK academic and non‑academic organisations who intend to apply to the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 call, which opens on 28 May 2026 and closes on 24 November 2026. The session will provide an overview of the call, including eligibility rules, the funding framework, novelties in the 2026–27 Work Programme, and evaluation criteria. It will also feature contributions from Edward Ricketts (European Research Executive Agency) and Professor Richard M. Hall (University of Birmingham), who will share insights from their experience with the programme.

9. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 Call Information Webinar, Online, 14 May 2026, 10:00-12:00 UK time: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/msca-postdoctoral-fellowships-2026-call-information-webinar/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The session is aimed at researchers and staff in UK academic and non‑academic organisations interested in applying to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 call, which opens on 9 April 2026 and closes on 9 September 2026. The webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the call, including eligibility rules, funding details, new elements in the 2026–27 Work Programme, and submission and evaluation criteria. It will also include a Q&A session to support prospective applicants.

10. Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 6 Brokerage Event, 10-11 June 2026,  Newcastle/Darlington, Express interest now: https://info.iukbc.org.uk/cr/AQiqlwgQtNGoARiD2I-NAjD2otISb5aq1a-C6hQuwJHbv86Z1ANSIIpqh9DFMAEx6385VAo

Innovate UK are pleased to announce the latest brokerage event for happening across the UK between 10-11 June. These visits will enable delegates to build partnerships, strengthen collaboration, and to accelerate joint participation in Horizon Europe. This in-person event will include pitches, and pre-arranged meetings involving UK and EU delegates based on their interested WP 2027 topic(s) in scope. Innovate UK will also host site visits, enabling delegates to informally network with each other and tour facilities along the way.

 

European related funding

 

11. NEW: Global Research Initiative on Open Science Call for Evidence Synthesis Projects: https://www.esf.org/grios-launches-open-call-for-evidence-synthesis-on-open-science/

The Global Research Initiative on Open Science (GRIOS) Call for Evidence Synthesis Projects, managed by the European Science Foundation, offers up to €80,000 in funding over a 12‑month period to support in-depth evidence synthesis reviews on priority Open Science policy topics. The call is open internationally and focuses on incentives for Open Science uptake and the effectiveness of research data‑sharing policies. Deadline: 20^th July 2026

 

12. NEW: NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme Issues Special Call for Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems: https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/organization/nato-structure/science-for-peace-and-security-hub

The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme Special Call on Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) supports collaborative, research‑based solutions to detect, track and identify small unmanned aerial systems in civilian and military contexts. Funding is available through several SPS mechanisms, ranging from up to €40,000 to €400,000 depending on the scheme, for projects developed jointly by NATO and partner‑country applicants. The call encourages innovative and dual‑use approaches addressing challenges such as detection under difficult conditions, sensor fusion and passive radar. Deadline: 14 June 2026.

 

13. Total of 29 Positions Available in the FIAS 2026 Fellowship Programme: https://www.fias-fp.eu/fellowships/call-applications-20272028

FIAS administers a Fellowship Programme to strengthen scholarship and mobility in the social sciences and humanities by offering academic residencies in France to experienced international researchers. The programme is now accepting applications for the 2027/2028 academic year, with a total of 29 positions available across the institutions. Researchers from all countries are eligible to apply, as long as they have spent no more than 12 months in France during the three years immediately prior to the application deadline. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD and have at least two years of full-time research experience at the time of the application. Fellows will each receive a minimum net income of €2,200 per month for the duration of the 10-month fellowship. Social security, support for accommodation and travel expenses and a €2,500 research and training budget will also be provided. Deadline: 25 July 2026

 

14. COST Open Call 2026 Announced: https://www.cost.eu/open-call/

COST will launch its 2026 Open Call for new COST Actions 31st July, with funding available for up to 80 new research networks. The call supports innovative, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research networks across all fields. COST Actions enable researchers, innovators, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to collaborate internationally. Updates on what to expect in this year’s call, including any changes and new features.  Deadline: 28 October 2026

15. ZiF Visiting Research Groups Call (Bielefeld Centre for Interdisciplinary Research), https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/zif/

The Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Forschung (ZiF) at Bielefeld University is inviting applications for its Visiting Research Groups scheme. The programme supports innovative interdisciplinary collaborations, enabling groups of at least three post‑doctoral researchers to explore new topics, develop partnerships, finalise interdisciplinary publications, or conduct small research projects over 1–3 months. The scheme is open to researchers from all disciplines and all countries, with international participation strongly encouraged. ZiF provides €50,000 to cover travel, accommodation, workshops, and conferences. Deadline: 29 October 2026

16. Opportunities for Researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in Horizon Europe: https://horizoneuropencpportal.eu/sites/default/files/2026-01/ssh-opportunities_2026-27_final.pdf

A guide that maps all Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) funding opportunities for 2026–2027, including an in‑depth analysis of SSH‑relevant topics across the entire Work Programme has been released.

17. Horizon Europe – FINAL Work Programmes 2026-27 published

The European Commission has published the final versions of the 2026-27 call topics for all the clusters and missions and a number of the other main funding instruments (to download work programmes see here: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/horizon-europe-work-programmes_en ). For convenience, we have put together summary tables of all call topic titles in the ​​ linked Excel spreadsheet​​​ ​which has been updated to reflect the final work programmes – please use these to browse any topics that are of interest to you and that you may be able to contribute to (if you have looked at earlier versions, please check in case of changes). Once you have identified a topic(s) of interest, please search their call reference within the relevant full Work Programme PDF for full details. Many of the 2026 call topics have deadlines in March-April with some later around September — while we advise you to already start taking action for the 2027 calls. [For reference, you can find historic and future draft work programmes at: https://sciencebusiness.net/horizon-papers] They include:

• Cluster 1 – Health: FINAL
• Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society: FINAL
• Cluster 3 – Civil security for society:  FINAL
• Cluster 4 – Digital, industry, space: FINAL
• Cluster 5 – Climate, energy and mobility: FINAL
• Cluster 6 – Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment: FINAL
• Missions: FINAL
• New European Bauhaus Facility: FINAL
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: FINAL
• European Research Council: 2026 (2027 is expected around May 2026)
• European Innovation Council: FINAL
• European Innovation Ecosystems: FINAL
• WIDERA (Widening, European Research Area): FINAL
• Research infrastructures: FINAL
• Horizontal activities: FINAL

For reference: General Introduction and General Annexes

**Please do reach out to the Research Funding Development team for support: jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk or sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk**

18. Opportunities for Researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in Horizon Europe: https://horizoneuropencpportal.eu/repository/fe369bb2-b2b1-47ff-81ec-590b17d5b021

To assist SSH researchers in identifying funding opportunities, the European Commission (EC) has established a search engine within its online Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal. Certain topics with substantial SSH aspects have been “flagged” by the EC as SSH-relevant, and the search engine offers the option to quickly search for the specific priority ‘Social sciences and humanities’. It also allows for keyword and full-text search.

19. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 call will open in April. Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) target researchers holding a PhD with up to eight years of research experience who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. PFs help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.  If you are interested in hosting (as named supervisor) a MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow currently based overseas we encourage you to reach out to them and get in touch with sarah.urquhart@newcastle.ac.uk. Deadline: 9 September 2026.

20. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks 2026: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

MSCA Doctoral Networks fund doctoral programmes, consisting of a European consortium recruiting up to 15 PhD studentships, designed to respond to identified needs in various research and innovation areas. MSCA Doctoral Networks design doctoral programmes to develop entrepreneurial, innovative doctoral candidates. The aim is to equip these candidates with the right combination of research-related and transferable competencies, enhancing their career perspectives both within and outside academia. The funded Doctoral Networks will hold open recruitment procedures throughout the course of the maximum 48-month project and the recruited candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the MSCA Work Programme. Please reach out to jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk if interested with the next annual deadline 24 November 2026.