International Research Funding Circular – 07 November 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: European Commission invites contributions to shape future EU Quantum Act: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-invites-contributions-shape-future-eu-quantum-act

The Commission invites input from a broad range of stakeholders, including national authorities and EU agencies, infrastructure operators, industry representatives (including SMEs and start-ups), research organisations and universities, as well as experts in standardisation, cybersecurity, defence, and quantum technologies.

2. NEW: Newcastle University Christmas and New Year grant submission deadlines:

Due to the current working arrangements/holiday period and the fact that there will be Funder deadlines for research grant applications falling around the Christmas and New Year, we request that grant applications and all associated paperwork are submitted to the Resaearch Grants and Contracts Team [RG&CT] & NJRO by Monday 15th December 2025 for any funder deadlines which fall between 22 December 2024 and 05 January 2026 – this will allow for all internal approvals to be obtained and submission of applications via funder portals. Please note: If applications are received after Monday 15th December 2025 the RG&CT & NJRO cannot guarantee that these will be submitted via funder portals as there may be insufficient time to obtain internal approval.

Events

3. REMINDER: N8 ERC Lunch time Webinar Series: information sessionS for academics interested in applying to the European Research Council (ERC), offering guidance on writing competitive proposals though insights from ERC award holders and/or reviewers.

  • ERC Synergy Grant: Tuesday 25th November 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Tracy Palmer (Newcastle University) and Professor Jason Rothman (Lancaster University): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 312 205 642 977 1; Passcode: Zk7CG99G)
  • ERC Consolidator Grant – Social Sciences: Thursday 13th November 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Johnan Oldekop (The University of Manchester) and Professor David Orton (University of York): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 384 787 397 373 5; Passcode: 3Ta3TT2k)
  • ERC Consolidator Grant – Life Sciences: Wednesday 19th November 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Mal McMillan (Lancaster University) and Professor Scott Cairney (University of York): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 340 792 057 506 5; Passcode: Tg2wo7ev)
  • ERC Consolidator Grant – Physical Sciences: Friday 28th November 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Ben Mills (University of Leeds) and Dr Meghan Halse (University of York): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 351 405 385 497 6; Passcode: Ep3ZP6oK)
  • ADDED: ERC Consolidator Grant – Physical Sciences: Friday 5th December 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Alison Parkin (University of York) and Professor Edward Laird (Lancaster University): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 351 847 045 517 12; Passcode: o4bJ7zN7)
  • ADDED: ERC Starting Grant – Life Sciences: Tuesday 2nd December 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Christina Hicks (Lancaster University) and Dr Ralf Richter (University of Leeds): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 312 985 377 917 25; Passcode: PV9Xm3u3)
  • ERC Starting Grant – Physical Sciences: Wednesday 10th December 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Dr Rostislav Mikhaylovskiy (Lancaster University) and Dr Dominic Bowman (Newcastle University): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 315 256 395 349 0; Passcode: oq3HG94p)
  • ERC Starting Grant – Social Sciences: Tuesday 16th December 2025 – 12:10 – 12:50pm: Speakers Professor Robbie Williams (University of Leeds) and Dr Mark Griffiths (Newcastle University): Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 336 871 031 716; Passcode: Lm7Kn2YA)

4. Introduction to Horizon Europe webinars, 10:00-11:00, 19 November & repeated 17 December 2025: https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/411460e0-b3df-4111-b691-469c5c690f11/summary

This one-hour webinar is purposefully designed to help those with no or low recent knowledge about Horizon Europe gain an understanding of the opportunities it offers, and the basics about how to explore these opportunities further for yourself.

European related funding

5. REMINDER: 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 spreadsheet – 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. Please note for some areas newer leaked drafts can also be found on Science Business website: https://sciencebusiness.net/horizon-papers Keep checking both the BusinessConnect and ScienceBusiness sites regularly for updated versions. They include:

 

6. 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.

7. BBSRC funding for Green ERA-Hub: biomass production and utilisation (pre-proposal): https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/green-era-hub-biomass-production-and-utilisation-pre-proposal/

The Green ERA-Hub (GEH) is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) of the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. As part of its mission to align national and regional research programmes, GEH has integrated the research and innovation priorities of various ERA-Net initiatives to launch the third GEH joint call. This programme offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the transformation of today’s largely fossil resources-based economy into a sustainable bio-based economy that focuses on natural and renewable material cycles aiming to fully exploit the potential of a sustainable bio-based economy. This call funds projects that enhance the utilisation of non-eatable biomass, intermediates or both, from a wide range of sources for industrial purposes in a cascade use approach (Topic B: biotechnological applications to improve the utilisation of biomass — This topic focuses on researching and developing novel, innovative, and sustainable biotechnological approaches towards a better utilisation of renewable biomass, intermediates or both). Proposals must involve teams from the UK and at least two eligible partners requesting funding from at least two different member countries who contribute funds to the call. Participating research organisations will receive funding from their national agencies under. UK components of projects can cost up to a maximum of £812,500 FEC, funded through BBSRC. Project durations can range from 24 to 36 months. Webinar on 15 October 2025 8:30am. GEH portal deadline for pre-proposals is 28 November 2025 with a copy submitted to BBSRC portal (UK Funding Service) by deadline 27 November 2025.

8. 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.

9. 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. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. DSIT funding UK participation in EuroHPC (European High Performance Computing) Joint Undertaking Calls

UK public research organisations will be eligible for funding to participate in three upcoming research and innovation calls run by the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). The Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is funding UK teams to develop and optimise exascale and AI‑ready software, toolchains and workflows in areas of national importance. These calls will support structured, cross‑border collaboration with leading European computing centres and further develop the UK compute ecosystem in line with recently published Compute Roadmap. Funding is available for UK proposals in the following calls:

Individual proposals should not exceed £1.3 million in proposed UK contribution. Call deadlines 20 January 2026.

 Official development assistance (ODA) or Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) related funding

 13. Gates Foundation – Accelerating the Development of Innovative, Exceptionally Low-Cost Maternal and Child Nutrient Ingredients and Products: https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/accelerating-development-innovative-exceptionally-low-cost-maternal-and-child-nutrient

Despite decades of evidence demonstrating the importance of nutrition interventions, many solutions are inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries due to high costs. We invite innovators from nutrition, biotechnology, food technology, pharmaceuticals, and beyond to submit proposals to reduce the cost of calcium, choline, or DHA by at least half or develop low-cost and/or advanced micronutrient supplement products. A webinar will be hosted to provide more information and answer any questions on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, 07:00 – 08:00 Pacific Time. To participate in the webinar, please register and submit your questions in advance. Request for Proposals deadline 16 December 2025.

14. Gates Foundation – Accelerating Innovation in Vaginal Formulations in Support of Women’s Health: https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenges

Local delivery of drugs into the vagina offers several clear potential advantages over other delivery methods, but it remains underutilized. Through this RFP, the partners seek applications that either contribute to the development of vaginal formulations that promote optimal drug delivery or identify the specific features of a vaginally administered product that would most appeal to women. This challenge is a collaboration among members of global Grand Challenges network, including the Gates Foundation, GC-Africa (managed by the Science for Africa Foundation), GC-Brazil (Ministry of Health), GC-India (Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology), and GC-South Africa (South African Medical Research Council). A webinar will be hosted to provide more information and answer any questions on Thursday, 20 November 2025, 06:00 – 07:00 Pacific Time. To participate in the webinar, please register and submit your questions in advance. Call deadlines 16 December 2025.

 General international

 15. NEW: Innovate UK: UK-Canada Quantum Communications and Networking Demonstrator: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2335/overview/64e26f1b-8564-4539-b3ca-1b15ebf4f94a

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £3.425 million for terrestrial demonstrations of quantum communications or networking, and to build preparedness for a demonstration with a satellite mission alongside Canadian counterparts. To lead a collaborative project your organisation must be a UK registered business of any size or an academic institution, and the consortium must contain an SME claiming grant funding. Deadline 26 November 2025.

 16. NEW: Roux Prize for Disease Burden Research: https://www.healthdata.org/about/awards/roux-prize

The Roux Prize is awarded by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) to recognise innovation in the use of disease burden research. A prize of $100,000 is awarded to an individual or group that has successfully applied health evidence in innovative ways to safeguard public health and make people healthier. Nominations are invited for an individual or group, based anywhere in the world, that has applied health evidence in innovative ways. The award can be used by the winner for any research, educational or personal purpose. Deadline 03 March 2026.

 17. NEW: 2026 Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide: https://grants.at/en/

The grant programme invites students and young researchers from foreign universities to go to Austria for a research or study visit for a maximum of nine months.

Areas of study or research which are of particular interest to OeAD include: natural sciences; technical sciences; human medicine; Health Sciences; agricultural sciences; social sciences; arts and humanities.

Applications are accepted from candidates from all countries except Austria. The maximum age for candidates is 35. Good knowledge of English and/or German, particularly in the respective subject area, is a prerequisite. A monthly grant is awarded for the duration of the stay, up to a maximum of nine months. The monthly rate of the grant is €1,300. Deadline 01 February 2026.

 18. NEW: Millennium Technology Prize: https://millenniumprize.org/

For groundbreaking technological innovations that benefit millions of people around the world. All fields of technology are eligible, excluding military technology. The prize supports technological innovations that broadly improve the life of humankind and promote sustainable development, and that demonstrate present and/or future applications with global commercial viability and industrial exploitation. Innovation should: • Enhance quality of life. • Promote sustainable development, such as the efficient use of Earth’s resources, biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change. • Generate applications with global commercial viability. • Create new accessible socioeconomic value. • Stimulate further cutting-edge research and development in science and technology. Candidates can be either individuals or research groups/teams, but not institutions or organisations. One nomination can include multiple nominees and nominators are encouraged to name everyone whose contributions to the innovation deserve the prize. A total of €1 million will be awarded to the winner(s). Deadline 27 February 2026.

 19. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Overseas Researchers 2026 — call for humanities and social sciences: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/jsps-postdoctoral-fellowship-for-overseas-researchers/

This scheme is for scholars in the UK who are at an early stage of their career and wish to conduct research in Japan for a period of 12-24 months. The scheme, which is wholly funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), provides the opportunity for highly qualified young researchers based in the UK to engage and collaborate with leading research groups in universities and other research institutions in Japan. In its capacity as an overseas nominating authority for this scheme, the British Academy is able to nominate a quota of candidates each year, thus candidates from all fields of the humanities and social sciences are eligible to apply. Deadline 10 December 2025  [note: the Royal Society typically run a similar option for the sciences in early new year].

 20. AHRC-DFG Research Grants: Round Eight (2025 to 2026): https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ahrc-dfg-research-grants-round-eight-2025-to-2026/

Apply for funding to conduct arts and humanities research projects with German partners. Projects must be composed of two highly integrated national teams based in the UK and Germany. All proposals must demonstrate the added value of international collaboration to research objectives.

The full economic cost of the UK-component of your project can be up to £420,000. Your project can last between 24 to 36 months. Deadline 26 February 2025.

 21. British Council Climate Skills Global Collaboration Grants: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/climate-skills-global-collaboration-grants

Grants of £50,000 to £85,000 are available for partnerships between the UK and Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico or Viet Nam. The grants will fund collaborations that deliver structured, industry-aligned opportunities for young people to gain green work experience and/or green entrepreneurship experience.. Deadline 17 November 2025.

 22. Health Outcomes of Pet Ownership and Human-Animal Interaction research funding: https://habri.org/grants/funding-opportunities/rfp-addressing-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-hai

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is inviting proposals for its Addressing Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction funding scheme aimed at exploring the health benefits of human-animal interaction. This initiative supports research that examines the health outcomes associated with pet ownership and animal-assisted interventions (AAI) for both humans and animals. Eligible studies should focus on areas such as the role of pet ownership in promoting wellbeing, the impacts of therapy animals and the effectiveness of AAI in addressing social issues like anxiety, loneliness and trauma. Research proposals must include a solid theoretical framework and aim to produce actionable recommendations for policymakers, veterinarians and health practitioners. HABRI will award approximately five to six grants annually, with an average funding amount of $50,000 per project and a typical duration of 20 months. Deadline 26 February 2025.

23. International Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) & Blood Cancer United 2026 Research Request for Proposals: https://iwmf.com/applying-for-a-research-grant/

IWMF seeks applications for research and clinical studies that will deliver meaningful therapeutic benefits for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) patients within the next 3–5 years. Grant amounts range from $250K–$1M over 2–4 years, with a separate award to support young investigators. Deadline 28 November 2025.

24. 2026 Alzheimer’s Association Zenith Fellows Award: https://www.alz.org/research/for_researchers/grants/types-of-grants/the_zenith_fellows_award_program_-zenith

The Association’s Zenith Fellows Award provides major support to experienced researchers who have: • Contributed significantly to the dementia science field (Alzheimer’s and all other dementia research). • Made significant contributions to other areas of science and are now beginning to focus more directly on problems related to Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. • Are likely to make substantial contributions in the future. It is anticipated that up to three awards will be made. Each award is for a maximum of $450,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to three years, and limited to $250,000 in any given year. Letter of Intent deadline 01 December 2025.

 25. Breakthrough T1D Funding: Understanding Foreign Body Response in Islet Cell Replacement: https://www.breakthrought1d.org/explore-research/funding-opportunities/

Breakthrough T1D seeks proposals for innovative research to help advance the clinical translation of biomaterial-based immune-isolation strategies for islet cell replacement therapy in T1D. The priority for support is on research that directly addresses modelling and translational limitations, so as to establish the foundation for clinically successful beta cell replacement therapies. The maximum funding request for this RFA is $900,000 over three years. Letter of Intent deadline 17 November 2025.

26. Eureka GlobalStars Japan 2026: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2276/overview/19635c62-dd91-41d8-a90e-547cdb5acbfa#summary

UK business can apply for funding to collaborate on industrial research projects with partners in Eureka member countries and Japan. UK universities can collaborate, but not lead. Innovate UK will invest a minimum of £2 million to fund UK component. The aim of this competition is to fund business led, collaborative research and development (CR&D) projects focused on industrial research. This competition will be for innovative proposals developed between the UK, Japan and the other Eureka participating countries. Deadline 21 January 2026.

27. 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.

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.

  • 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. 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.

 

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