International Research Funding Circular -14 August 2026
Please see the latest European and International research funding information, event and opportunity updates.
News
1. CURRENT MSCA FELLOWS: Invitation to join 76th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting (Physiology/Medicine) in Summer 2027: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/apply-now-to-attend-the-76th-lindau-nobel-laureate-meeting-physiologymedicine
The call for applications is open to current MSCA fellows, whose grant will still be running when the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (2 July 2027) takes place. Only early career stage doctoral candidates and postdoctoral scientists (i.e. up to 5 years of postdoctoral experience), not yet holding an independent group leader position, can apply to join a unique week of scientific exchange, inspiration, and networking through lectures, panel discussions, and small-scale discussion sessions. The submissions deadline is 4 October 2026 13:00, CEST.
Events
2. NEW: KETs2026 reloaded, 24 September 2026 (online)
To pave the way for the up-coming Horizon Europe Calls (cluster 4 (industry, digital), cluster 5 (batteries, hydrogen) and the industry-related topics of cluster 6), the German National Contact Point Digital and Industrial Technologies (NCP DIT) in close partnership with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) partners Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and Grand Est Développement , French National Contact Points (NCPs) at Bpifrance , the NCP networking projects NCP4Industry Plus and Idealist2027 , and the EEN Networks, offer this unique matchmaking event. Four thematic pitching sessions:
- manufacturing, circularity & energy-intensive industries (cluster 4)
- raw materials & advanced materials (cluster 4)
- artificial intelligence & ICT (cluster 4)
- energy storage (cluster 5) & bioeconomy (cluster 6)
Long-term matchmaking from September 24, 2026 until end of January 2027. Registration: Home | KETs2026 reloaded
3. REMINDER: Getting those Grants: Horizon Europe Proposal Development for Consortium Projects, 10th September, Stephenson Building, STB 1.010, 09:00-16:30: https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2821
This practical intensive one-day training course provides a comprehensive insight into writing and submitting competitive Pillar 2 (large collaborative consortium) proposals under Horizon Europe. You will learn the features of winning proposals and gain practical tools to develop your proposal with confidence. Please register here.
4. ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 Webinar, 30 September 2026, 10:00 to 12:00 UK time: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/events/erc-consolidator-grant-2027-webinar/
The overall aim of this webinar is to provide participants with detailed, practical information about the ERC Consolidator Grant scheme. It will cover information on the submission process, how proposals are evaluated and other elements you’ll need to consider when designing a project for your research excellence idea. Attendance will be free of charge, but registration for the webinar is required.
5. Kick-off event of the European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage, 29 September 2026 at Mucem – Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (1 Esplanade J4), Marseille, France and online: https://www.heritageresearch-hub.eu/event/european-partnership-for-resilient-cultural-heritage-to-have-its-kick-off-event-in-september-2026/
The Marseille event will mark the start of a decade-long initiative focused on improving the structuring and coordination of research at the nexus of cultural heritage and climate change, across Europe but with a global perspective. Registration is free of charge, but places may be limited for in-person participation. We therefore encourage you to register as early as possible. You can find more details at this link. Event details will be updated as more information becomes available.
European related funding
6. NEW: Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call Pre-Announcement: https://www.water4all-partnership.eu/joint-activities/water4all-2026-joint-transnational-call-pre-announcement
The Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call focuses on Sustainable Water Management (excluding extreme events and circularity), invite proposals that address critical challenges related to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), River Basin Management, Groundwater Management, Water Resilience, Integrated Water Monitoring and data management, Water-positive solutions. The UK is confirmed as a partner, though the details of how much funding is available per call is not yet known. A general and informative webinar dedicated to the international researchers’ community and presented in English will be organised on 17th September 2026 (14:00-1600 CEST) to answer your questions regarding the call. You can register with the following link. Call deadline: 10 November 2026
7. NEW: Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) Rolling Transnational Access Call to Research Infrastructures 2026–2028: https://bluepartnership.eu/funding-opportunity/sustainable-blue-economy-partnership-rolling-transnational-access-call-research
The Call offers pan-European access to a portfolio of over 60 marine and maritime Research Infrastructures across the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea – including research vessels, fixed and mobile platforms, analytical laboratories, high-performance computing and digital facilities, portable equipment and virtual access to data infrastructures. Applications are welcome on a rolling basis, with the next cut-off date set for 20 October 2026 – 11:00 CEST.
8. NEW: SPRIND Opens Next Frontier Robotics Challenge: https://www.sprind.org/en/actions/challenges/next-frontier-robotics
A call intended to deliver breakthroughs in next-generation robotics hardware and intelligent, multi-purpose robotic systems in Europe. The Challenge focuses on modular and interoperable technologies that can operate autonomously in complex, unstructured and changing real-world environments.
Two tracks are available. Track 1, Integrated Platforms, supports development of fully integrated, modular and multi-purpose robotic systems that combine hardware, sensors and software into stable architectures for autonomous execution of complex physical tasks. Track 2, Hardware Components, supports development of high-performing robotic components and associated software drivers designed for integration into third-party robotic systems. The Challenge runs for approximately three years and is divided into four stages. SPRIND plans to provide up to €7.2 million per team across the full Challenge, with stage allocations varying by track. Deadline 22 October 2026.
9. NOW OPEN: 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.
10. COST Actions Networking Grants Open for 2026: https://www.cost.eu/how-to-apply/
The 2026 COST Actions call is open to researchers from academia, industry, SMEs and public organisations to establish international research networks in any scientific or technological field. COST funds networking activities such as workshops, conferences, training schools and research visits, rather than research itself. Successful Actions typically receive around €150,000 in the first year and €180,000 per year for the following three years, with up to 80 new COST Actions expected to be funded in this round. Deadline: 28 October 2026.
11. Launch of Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Call 13: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/ihi-call-13
The Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) has launched Call 13, inviting innovative solutions across three topics: boosting health innovation through a network; using AI to reduce animal use in drug safety studies; and decoding diseases related to ageing and the immune system. A total budget of €84,824,750 is available for projects tackling these issues within IHI public-private partnerships; €53.2 million from Horizon Europe, €27,196,000 from IHI’s industry members and €4,428,750 from IHI contributing partners. Call 13 is a two-stage call. Short proposal submission deadline: 08 October 2026.
12. 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**
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.
13. European Innovation Council calls 2026
EIC Pathfinder: EIC Challenges, deadline 28 October 2026. Through both open and challenge calls: For multi-disciplinary research teams to undertake visionary research with the potential to lead to technology breakthroughs (grants up to €4 million).
EIC Transition: Deadline: 19 September 2026. To turn research results into innovation opportunities, following up on results generated by EIC Pathfinder, European Research Council Proof of Concept, Horizon Europe Pillar 2 (societal challenges) collaborative projects and Research Infrastructures projects (grants up to €2.5 million).
EIC Accelerator: Deadline: Rolling until November 2026. Through both open and challenge calls: For start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones (UK applicants eligible for grants only, worth up to €2.5 million).
Applicants must first submit a short proposal, which will be reviewed and if successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
14. Access EuroHPC supercomputers for AI development: https://www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/ai-factories/ai-factories-access-calls_en
Apply for access to EuroHPC supercomputers to develop artificial intelligence, through the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). These access modes support AI and data-intensive work, with a focus on foundation models and generative AI, such as large language models. No funding is provided; awards are allocations of compute time. UK applicants are eligible as the UK is a participating state in EuroHPC.
On a separate note, the EuroHPC JU has several R&I calls open at present for large European consortia that are quantum-related.
15. SPRIND Challenge Supports AI-ready Health Datasets and Clinical Use Cases: https://www.sprind.org/en/actions/challenges/recoding-medicine
The new SPRIND Challenge ‘Recoding Medicine’ by the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (SPRIND) aims to improve access to high-quality, AI-ready health datasets and demonstrate their value in clinically relevant applications. Funding is provided through pre-commercial procurement, with amounts per selected team of up to €480,000 in Stage 1, up to €455,000 in Stage 2 and up to €550,000 in Stage 3, plus VAT and subject to the approved cost estimate. Deadline: 16 October 2026.
16. Integrated Research Infrastructure Services for Climate Change Risks Opens Fourth Access Call: https://www.iriscc.eu/article/4th-open-call-for-access
IRISCC is offering funded access to European climate change research facilities, data and expertise for projects addressing challenges such as ecosystem resilience, health risks, water management and food systems. Researchers, policymakers and industry professionals can apply for physical, remote, hybrid or virtual access, with up to €2,000 available for travel and subsistence. Deadline: 15 October 2026.
17. British Council Springboard Programme for UK–France, UK–Germany and UK–Spain Research Partnerships: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/springboard-2026-research-grants-france-germany-spain
The British Council has opened applications for its Springboard Programme, which supports early career researchers in the UK to develop collaborations with partners in France, Germany or Spain. Open to all disciplines, the programme provides grants of up to £10,000 to strengthen international networks, support knowledge exchange activities and lay the foundations for future collaborative funding bids, including Horizon Europe opportunities. Deadline: 30 September 2026.
General international
18. NEW: Innovate UK UK-Singapore CRD 2026: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/uk-singapore-crd-2026/
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Singapore. Academic institutions can collaborate with the lead. You must collaborate with at least one Singapore business applying under the equivalent Enterprise Singapore programme. Your proposal must focus on one of the following sectors: 1) Advanced Manufacturing, 2) Clean Energy, 3) Life Sciences, 4) Digital and Technologies, specifically the frontier technologies including: Semiconductors, Quantum, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Advanced Connectivity Technologies and Engineering Biology. UK partners grant funding request can be between £100,000 and £900,000 per project. Deadline 16 December 2026.
19. NEW: EPSRC Canada-G7-Nordic call for proposals on quantum technologies: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/canada-g7-nordic-call-for-proposals-on-quantum-technologies/
Apply for funding to establish world-leading research partnerships with collaborators in Canada, the US, Germany, Japan, and the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway). Proposals must include researchers from both the UK and Canada and may also involve researchers from other eligible countries participating in this funding opportunity. Up to £400k (UK component) available over three years. Deadline 24 September 2026.
20. REMINDER: British Council Transnational Education (TNE) Grant with India — internal process: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/tne-grants-india-2026-27
The British Council have an open call for a TNE Grant with India. The closing date is 25 August. Given that each university can only submit 2 applications, a University panel led by the PVC Global will review applications and select two proposals to be put forward. Please submit this internal application form by 5pm on Wednesday the 12th of August if you wish for your application to be considered. This form is a shortened version of the grant application form. Applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected by the 19th of August. For questions, email newcastleglobal@ncl.ac.uk.
21. Eni Award Invites Entries for 2027 Energy Research Prizes: https://www.eni.com/en-IT/strategic-vision/innovation/eni-awards.html
The Eni Award 2027 is inviting applications from researchers worldwide working on energy and environmental challenges, including energy transition, renewable energy, carbon reduction, and environmental sustainability. Awards of €200,000 are available in three main categories: Energy Transition, Energy Frontiers, and Advanced Environmental Solutions, alongside two €25,000 prizes for Young Researchers of the Year and Young Talents from Africa. Deadline: 20 November 2026.
22. BBSRC Brazil pump-priming award (FAPPA): https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/bbsrc-brazil-pump-priming-award-fappa/
This award is for BBSRC-funded research groups to pump-prime interactions with FAPESP scientists in Brazil. Applications must be made by a project lead who is currently in receipt of BBSRC research funding. Funding of up to £35,000 at 100% full economic costing (FEC) is available over two years. Deadline: Open – no closing date
23. UPCOMING: NIHR Announces Upcoming Call for UK-Japan Collaborative Clinical Trials on Paediatric Cancer: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/uk-japan-collaborative-clinical-trials-children-and-young-peoples-cancer/97059
IHR and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) are launching a joint funding opportunity to support up to two UK-Japan collaborative clinical trials focused on improving outcomes for children, adolescents, and young people with cancer, particularly in solid tumours, haematological cancers, and brain cancers. The call will fund 3 to 5-year projects, with NIHR contributing £2 million to UK-based research, and encourages strong international collaboration, patient and public involvement, inclusive research practices, and capacity building for early- and mid-career researchers. Applications are expected to open in October 2026, with funding decisions anticipated in May/June 2027
24. Japan-UK Joint call for collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/japan-uk-joint-call-for-collaborations-in-advanced-connectivity-technologies-full/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Apply for funding to form world-leading partnerships with collaborators in Japan for your research into Advanced Connectivity Technologies. UK applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. Japanese applicants must be eligible for NICT funding. Deadline: 6 October 2026.
25. UKRI translation: MRC proof of concept: stage two: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/mrc-proof-of-concept-stage-two/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
This funding opportunity was previously titled ‘Developmental pathway funding scheme: stage one’. Apply for funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions. You must be employed at a research organisation eligible for MRC funding. Deadline: 4 November 2026
26. British Academy International Interdisciplinary Research Projects 2027: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/knowledge-frontiers-international-interdisciplinary-research/
The programme aims to support projects which engage with questions concerning the relationship between expertise, public understanding and policy delivery internationally, and highlight the importance of collaboration between communities of practice, disciplines, capacities and borders. Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
27. Gruber Prizes 2027 (Cosmology, Genetics, Neuroscience): https://gruber.yale.edu/
The Gruber Foundation invites nominations for its 2027 prizes recognising individuals whose groundbreaking research has led to fundamental advances in cosmology, genetics or neuroscience. Each prize includes a gold medal and an unrestricted award of $500,000. Nominations are open globally with no nationality restrictions and can be submitted by individuals, organisations or institutions. Deadline: 15 December 2026.
28. FMS Faculty Pause on NIH Applications
Given the current uncertainty surrounding NIH funding, Faculty Executive Board have taken the decision to pause all new applications to NIH. This applies across all NIH grant opportunities. Applications to this funder will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. If you wish to discuss a potential exceptional case, please contact the FMS Head of Research at eve.cosgrave@newcastle.ac.uk
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.