International Research Funding Circular -18 September 2026

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

 

News

 

1. NEW: New Horizon Europe horizontal activities calls expected on “Nature” and “Bridging”: https://research-innovation-community.ec.europa.eu/events/eugq0jjabLAe8efhoXQBd/overview

In work programme updates expected in early October, Nature and Biodiversity topics are expected to take a cross-cutting approach, while Bridging actions are expected to support the transition between Horizon Europe 2021–2027 and the next EU research and innovation framework programme, with a focus on the innovation-to-investment journey. An online European Commission information day is planned for 16 October, followed by a virtual NCP brokerage event on 19 October.

2. NEW: Can researchers trust that AI models won’t leak their ideas?: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/ai/can-researchers-trust-ai-models-wont-leak-their-ideas

Following controversy over a mathematics breakthrough claimed by OpenAI, funders grapple with how to make sure proposals stay confidential.

3. NEW: Franco-British Scientific Ties Regain Momentum a Decade After Brexit, CNRS Finds: https://www.cnrs.fr/en/update/renewed-vigour-franco-british-scientific-relations-ten-years-after-brexit

New partnerships, renewed European engagement and long-term research collaborations are helping to strengthen scientific links between France and the UK despite the disruption caused by Brexit.

4. NEW: Canada looks to deepen research and education links with the EU: https://sciencebusiness.net/news/international-news/canada-looks-deepen-research-and-education-links-eu

Offer of associate EU membership opens the door to new trans-Atlantic relationships in Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and beyond.

Events

 

5.  REMINDER: N8 lunchtime webinar: sustaining international research collaborations, 24 September, 12:00-13:00: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/25917b2d-1195-48ab-8881-07fb3c83c127@bdeaeda8-c81d-45ce-863e-5232a535b7cb

The international research funding landscape can be complex to navigate. Have you ever wondered how academics secure funding from philanthropic organisations? Would you like to know more about the challenges and how the application process differs to government funded grants? Join this webinar  from experienced academics from the universities of Leeds and Lancaster. The webinar will include two presentations and time for Q&A.

 

6. Introduction to Horizon Europe webinars: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/events/introduction-to-horizon-europe-2026/

Register for this one-hour UKRI webinar if you are based in the UK and would like to gain a general understanding of the opportunities offered by Horizon Europe and the basics about how to explore these opportunities further for yourself. Upcoming dates: 10:00-11:00 repeated on 23 September, 29 October, 26 November and 16 December 2026.

7. Series of European Commission webinars

A series of free online European Commission Horizon Europe webinars will take place between September and November, providing practical guidance on finding funding opportunities, proposal submission, grant preparation, project management, and lump sum funding. The sessions are aimed at researchers, research support staff, and project teams looking to strengthen their understanding of Horizon Europe processes and maximise their success in European funding programmes.

 

8. Horizon Europe training webinar sessions September 2026: https://freewebinars.europamediatrainings.com/2026-september

Europa Media Training are offering two free webinars in September:

  • AI in Horizon Europe Proposal Writing: Benefits, Pitfalls and Lessons Learned, 21 September 2026 , 11:00 CET (10:00 UK time)

With Ömer Ceylan, Managing Director of Geonardo, explore where AI can genuinely support proposal development, where caution is needed and what lessons the Horizon Europe community has learned so far.

  • Grant Writing for Young Researchers: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and ERC Starting Grants, 23 September 2026 , 11:00 CET  (10:00 UK time)

Join Paolo Simonelli, European partnerships and innovation projects manager, for practical insights into what evaluators look for, how proposal writing differs from academic writing and how to shape a convincing project idea.

You can register to attend here.

 

 

European related funding

9. NEW:  Water4All Launches €34 Million Call for Sustainable Water Management Research: https://www.water4all-partnership.eu/joint-activities/water4all-2026-joint-transnational-call

Funding for UK based researchers to collaborate with international partners and submit joint application to the Water4All 2026 joint translational call: sustainable water management is available (funded through NERC and EPSRC). The full economic cost (FEC) of the total requested budget from all UK partners on a project can be up to £312,500, over 36 months. To be eligible, transnational research consortia must include teams from a minimum of three countries financially participating in the call. Submission deadline of preproposals: 10 November 2026.

 

10. REMINDER: Springboard research grants with France, Germany & Spain: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/short-articles/opportunities/springboard-2026-research-grants-france-germany-spain

The Springboard 2026 Research Grants with France, Germany & Spain programme offers grants of up to £10,000 to support collaborative research partnerships between UK institutions and partners in France, Germany, or Spain, with a particular focus on early-career researchers and the development of joint funding proposals and publications. Deadline: 30 September 2026.

 

11. REMINDER: Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027: novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture): https://www.biodiversa.eu/2026/06/09/2026-2027-joint-call/

This funding opportunity allows UK based researchers to collaborate with international partners and submit joint application to the Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027 joint funding opportunity Novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture). Transnational research consortia must include team members from a minimum of three countries financially participating in the funding opportunity, including at least two different EU member states or Horizon Europe associated countries. The full economic cost (FEC) of the total requested budget from all UK partners on a project can be up to £375,000. Applications are via Biodiversa+ as the UK component funding is through NERC, please see NERC call for additional details. Deadline: 10 November 2026.

 

12. REMINDER: ERC Consolidator Grant 2027: https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/consolidator-grant

The ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 call is now open, offering up to €2 million in funding for mid-career researchers (5-15 years post-PhD) to consolidate their independent teams. Applications can be made in any field of research where the PI has a scientific track record showing great promise and an excellent groundbreaking frontier research idea. If interested to apply, please reach out to Jarlath.mckenna@newcastle.ac.uk to discuss. UK webinar on 30 September 2026, 10:00-12:00. Deadline: 12 January 2027.

 

13. €96 Million Available for New EU Cybersecurity Projects: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme

The call, DIGITAL-ECCC-2027-DEPLOY-CYBER-11, provides funding across seven topics aimed at improving cybersecurity technologies, resilience and preparedness across Europe. The opportunities will be of particular interest to research and technology organisations, universities, public authorities, cybersecurity companies and SMEs working on cybersecurity technologies, AI, critical infrastructure and digital resilience. Eligibility and funding conditions vary between topics. Deadline: 14 January 2027

 

14. EIC to revamp Pathfinder and Transition grant schemes in 2027: https://sciencebusiness.net/sites/default/files/inline-files/2026.07.07%20EIC%20WP2027_seconddraft.pdf

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is proposing significant changes to its funding landscape for 2027, with updates to the Pathfinder and Transition schemes and the introduction of new challenge areas aimed at accelerating breakthrough research and innovation. Key highlights from the draft EIC 2027 Work Programme include:

 

EIC Pathfinder Challenges

  • Breakthroughs in Advanced Materials for Future Resilient, Sustainable, and Efficient Energy Grids
  • Safe and Controlled Continual Learning in Open World for Reliable AI Agents (CLOWAI)
  • Quantum Energetics

EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges- Pilot

  • Accelerating Physical AI: Embodied Intelligence for the Next Frontier of AIPowered Robotics
  • Translating Disruptive New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into Practice

EIC Accelerator Challenges

  • Advanced in-situ Ocean Observation Technologies for Scalable, High-Resolution Marine Monitoring
  • Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
  • Alternative Concepts and Key Enabling Technologies for Fusion Power Plants
  • Carbon removal and circularity for climate change mitigation and EU industrial resilience

15. 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.

16. 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.

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**

 

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.

 

General international 

18. NEW: ALS Association Invites Preclinical ALS Therapeutics Proposals for Barnett Award: https://www.als.org/research/research-we-fund/our-awards-and-programs/barnett-drug-development-program

The call is aimed at industry and academic investigators developing novel approaches or repositioning existing therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND). The programme is seeking proposals focused on preclinical assessment of ALS therapeutics with a high probability of reaching the clinic within three years. Areas of interest include in vivo efficacy testing of therapeutic candidates in ALS models, covering pharmacological treatments, biological therapies or gene therapy. The Association also welcomes studies on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, preclinical toxicology and safety (ADME/Tox), dose-range finding and target engagement, as well as other Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies. Awards offer up to $500,000 in total costs over a period of two years, with indirect costs permitted up to 10%. Deadline: 6 October 2026

19. REMINDER: BBSRC International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences: https://www.schmidtsciences.org/energy-decarbonization-modeling-program/

Apply for funding to visit international partners, in order to initiate collaborations, prepare joint funding proposals, visit overseas facilities or attend European consortia-building events. Stays may be of up to one month in duration with up to £3000 available. Deadline: 20 October 2026

20. DEVI Urban Mobility & Built Environment Call: https://www.schmidtsciences.org/energy-decarbonization-modeling-program/

The Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute (DEVI), an initiative of the Schmidt Sciences Climate Center, has launched a call for Expressions of Intent (EOIs) on Decarbonization Modeling of Urban Mobility and the Built Environment. The programme will fund one multi-institutional collaboration with up to USD $4 million over five years to develop innovative modelling approaches that capture interdependencies between urban mobility, buildings, land use, electrification, and shared infrastructure. Projects should address advances in understanding decarbonisation pathways, methodological innovation, uncertainty analysis, model validation, and decision-support for diverse city contexts. Applicants can access programme guidance via the FAQ document. Deadline: 2 October 2026

21. 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

 

22. 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.

 

23. 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

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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