Apply for the Royal Society International Exchanges Grants 2026–2027. Funding of up to £24,000 is available to support international research collaborations, travel, subsistence, and research expenses.
Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme provides funding to help scientists based in the United Kingdom establish and strengthen international research collaborations with leading researchers worldwide. The program supports both one-off research visits and longer-term collaborative exchanges, enabling researchers to build partnerships, generate preliminary research, and develop future funding opportunities.
The scheme is designed to encourage scientific collaboration across borders while promoting innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
About the Royal Society
The Royal Society is the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences and one of the world’s oldest scientific institutions. It supports outstanding researchers through grants, fellowships, scientific meetings, policy work, and international collaborations.
The International Exchanges Scheme is funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), alongside contributions from several international partners and charitable foundations.
Objectives of the Scheme
The International Exchanges Grants aim to:
- Develop new international research collaborations.
- Support early-stage collaborative research.
- Generate preliminary research data.
- Build long-term scientific partnerships.
- Strengthen future grant applications.
- Enable the exchange of research staff and expertise.
- Promote knowledge sharing between research institutions.
Types of Funding Available
The Royal Society offers two funding routes under the International Exchanges Scheme.
Global Rounds
Global Rounds support collaborations between UK-based researchers and researchers in countries and territories outside the UK.
Funding can be used for:
- International travel
- Research visits
- Subsistence expenses
- Eligible research costs
Funding levels include:
| Visit Type | Maximum Funding |
|---|---|
| One-off visit (up to 3 months) | Up to £3,000 |
| Multiple visits within 1 year | Up to £6,000 |
| Multiple visits over 2 years | Up to £12,000 |
Cost Share Rounds
Cost Share Rounds involve joint funding between the Royal Society and overseas funding agencies.
The Royal Society provides funding for the UK researcher, while the overseas funding partner supports the collaborating international researcher.
Funding includes:
- Up to £12,000 from the Royal Society.
- Up to £12,000 (or equivalent) from the overseas funding partner.
This provides total collaborative support of up to £24,000, depending on the participating funding body.
International Funding Partners
The Royal Society currently collaborates with several international research organizations, including:
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
- National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan
In addition, dedicated funding opportunities are available for collaborations with researchers in:
- India (supported by the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation)
- China (supported by the Sino-British Fellowship Trust)
- United States (supported by the American Friends of the Royal Society)
What the Grant Covers
Funding may be used for eligible costs such as:
- International airfare
- Local transportation
- Accommodation
- Subsistence and living expenses
- Research materials
- Collaborative research activities
- Research exchange visits
- Other approved research-related expenses
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is intended for scientists who are based at eligible UK research organizations and who wish to establish or strengthen international research collaborations.
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements before submitting an application, as criteria may vary depending on the funding round and international partner.
Benefits of the Program
Successful applicants receive opportunities to:
- Build international research networks.
- Develop long-term scientific collaborations.
- Generate preliminary research findings.
- Share expertise with global research teams.
- Improve competitiveness for larger research grants.
- Advance scientific innovation.
- Expand international academic partnerships.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Royal Society is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout its funding programs. Applications are encouraged from researchers of all backgrounds, and the Society provides appropriate adjustments and support for disabled applicants throughout the application process.
Application Process
Applications generally involve the following steps:
- Review the relevant funding round and eligibility requirements.
- Identify an eligible international research collaborator.
- Develop a collaborative research proposal.
- Prepare the required supporting documentation.
- Complete the online application.
- Submit the application before the published deadline.
- For Cost Share rounds, ensure the overseas collaborator submits the required parallel application to their national funding agency.
Application Documents
Applicants may be required to provide:
- Completed online application
- Research proposal
- Collaboration plan
- Budget
- Curriculum vitae
- Institutional information
- Supporting documentation requested by the funding call
Funding Status
According to the latest published information:
- International Exchanges Opening: 30 July 2026
- Individual funding rounds may have separate opening and closing dates, so applicants should monitor the Royal Society’s grant portal for updates.
Conclusion
The Royal Society International Exchanges Grants offer an excellent opportunity for UK-based scientists to establish meaningful international collaborations. By supporting travel, research expenses, and collaborative visits, the scheme helps researchers build global partnerships, generate innovative research, and strengthen future funding prospects. Scientists seeking to expand their international research networks should consider applying during the appropriate funding round.
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