The International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Research Collaboration Grants 2025 supports UK institutions in partnering with counterparts in select countries. This call aims to foster new research collaborations and develop existing ones, encouraging engagement with non-academic organizations.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The call for Research Collaboration Grants is now open. The first critical step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 30 June 2025. Only those who submit an EOI will be eligible to submit a full application.

Following a successful EOI review, applicants will be invited to submit a full application. The deadline for the full application is 4 August 2025. Project start dates are expected to be around 1 January 2026, with project end dates around 31 December 2027.

Notification to submit full application will be on 4 July 2025 and outcome of selection will be in December 2025. Note that there will be no opportunity for corrections and clarifications following the deadline of submission of the full application

Funding Details

A total of £1.9 million is available for UK institutions. This funding will support up to 24 bilateral projects across 6 countries/territories. This grant provides small scale seed funding for collaborations between the UK and the participating ISPF countries/territories.

The ISPF research collaborations grants provide small scale seed funding for collaborations between the UK and the participating ISPF countries/territories in each call to initiate new research and innovation collaborations between academic groups, departments, and institutions in partner countries and the UK.

The funding aims to encourage collaborations to work with non-academic organisations and individuals to support the exchange of research and innovation expertise and the translation of research knowledge into tangible benefits and establish local hubs for UK- partner country/territory activity in a particular area, enabling engagement from the wider research and innovation community.

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to UK institutions partnering with counterparts in Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey. Expressions of interest will be rejected if they don’t meet the eligibility criteria for project leaders and institutions.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Being a UK-based institution.

• Having a collaborative partner in one of the specified countries.

• Meeting the specific criteria outlined in the Call Applicant Guidelines.

Applicants accepted following successful EOI and eligibility review will be invited to submit the full application.

Focus Areas and Objectives

The ISPF is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It puts research and innovation at the heart of our international relationships, supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, tech, and talent.

The grants aim to initiate new research and innovation collaborations between academic groups, departments, and institutions in partner countries and the UK. It also aims to develop existing collaborations at group, departmental, and institutional level.

The fund is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies, which includes: UK Research and Innovation (comprising the 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England), the UK Academies, the British Council, the Met Office, the National Physical Laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Universities UK International.

How to Apply

The application process involves a two-step process: Expression of Interest (EOI) and Full Application. Submit your expression of interest on or before 30 June through the provided link. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying.

For further details, full eligibility criteria, and assessment process, please refer to the Call Applicant Guidelines. If you have any inquiries, please contact UK-ISPF@britishcouncil.org.

Join the webinar on Thursday, 12 Jun 2025 at 10:30 - 11:30 (UK Time) to explore the expression of Interest, how to prepare to submit a full application, the eligibility criteria and how the application will be assessed.