International Bilateral Visits

RSE International Bilateral Visits facilitate the collaboration between researchers from Scotland and those based in international institutions within countries with academies with which the RSE has a formal Memorandum of Understanding.

Programme grants are for short-term visits. The key objectives are to enhance the research capabilities of individual researchers, develop international collaborative links, and enable participation in international research programmes.

For the incoming programme (visits to Scotland), please contact your country’s respective Academy for the terms and conditions and application form.

Australia-Scotland fund open: The Australian Academy of Science is administering this round’s Australia-Scotland Fund, and is currently accepting applications until 16 September 2026. Applicants who are interested in the scheme should visit this page for more details.

Project eligibility

Applicants may submit only one application per funding round. Applications are for one person; co-applications are not applicable for this scheme.

Applications are invited for the following areas:

• Australian Academy of Science: applications are considered in areas of biological (terrestrial and marine) and chemical/biochemical sciences, exploring aspects of natural ecosystems. Eligible areas of research include, but are not limited to:
  • Ecological studies: from broad ecosystem studies to specific interspecies interactions.
  • Systematic studies: systematic revisions; ecosystem exploration leading to an improved understanding of that ecosystem and/or the discovery of new species.
  • Chemistry/biochemistry: limited to exploring the role of naturally occurring chemicals in mitigating or influencing outcomes observed in any of the areas.
• The Hungarian Academy of Sciences: applications are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• Polish Academy of Sciences: applications are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, and formal and applied sciences.
• National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan: applications are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• The Slovak Academy of Sciences: applications are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities.
• The Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts: applications are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Application process

This award is now closed (apart from the Australia-Scotland fund); it will reopen as part of the autumn 2026 open call from noon on 2 September to noon on 21 October 2026.

 

Resources for applicants

1. RSE International Bilateral Visits terms and conditions
2. RSE Research Awards general terms and conditions
3. What makes a good RSE application?

Contact us

For more information regarding the award, please contact the Research Awards team at Awards@theRSE.org.uk.