Applications are now open for the University of Nottingham’s relaunched International Research Collaboration Fund (IRCF). 

This Academic Year (2022-23), there will be at least £300,000 available to support international research collaboration and mobility for colleagues across the UK campuses. 

The IRCF particularly welcomes applications from colleagues seeking to establish or grow links with world-leading research groups and institutions that will lead to excellent research outputs. 

The flagship fund, supported by both the university’s Research Strategy Delivery Plan and in-year Government funding, has been revamped and expanded in consultation with faculties and colleagues across the university. 

The IRCF will operate via a rolling-call model with a quick, straight forward application and approvals process. 

The IRCF will fund: 

International mobility grants of up to £5,000, prioritising support for established researchers to initiate and deepen international research and knowledge exchange partnerships (Open to all R&T and R staff); support for Early Career Researchers to establish and grow international research partnerships (open to independent research fellows and Level 5 R&T). 

Partnership accelerator grants of £10,000-£20,000, prioritising the support of more substantial activity that will demonstrably accelerate international research and knowledge exchange partnerships with high-quality research groups and institutions with a global reputation for excellence in their field. 

Find out more and apply.  

Please note: to ensure strategic alignment with your school and faculty’s research priorities, all applications to the IRCF must have the prior approval of your Head of School. 

The IRCF Partnership Acceleration Scheme will run on a rolling approvals process, with applications to be reviewed by your Faculty Global Engagement Director and Faculty Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange. Formal approval from these individuals is not required prior to submission. 

As the university develops an ambitious new International Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy over the coming months, the IRCF will form the cornerstone of our efforts to support high-quality research, as well as our global reputation, influence and impact. 

Despite the ongoing uncertainty around the UK’s access to the European Union’s HORIZON programme, the university is determined to ensure that our researchers are able to continue to work with researchers across the world to further raise the international profile of our research excellence and commitment to tackling global challenges. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West announced the relaunched ICRF on Thursday 19 January 2023 at an event exploring the future of the university’s engagement with Europe, celebrating our European research community and reiterating our determination to maintain and grow our partnerships across the continent. 

Nottingham and Tübingen strengthen partnership

The universities of Nottingham and Tübingen are expanding their cross-border partnership to cooperate more closely on cutting-edge research. A delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West visited Germany to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Tübingen, which builds on several years of mutual investment into research, teaching, learning and innovation. 

Tübingen networking funding call

To support this growing partnership, a new networking funding call for seed/basic research with the University of Tübingen is offering awards up €50,000, with a total pot of €250,000. 

Interdisciplinary applications are particularly welcomed, and existing award holders are eligible to apply for further funding – however must demonstrate clear advancement on their original project. 

The deadline for applications is 19 March 2023, with awards to be confirmed by the end of March. 

Find out more