Research Collaboration Grants

RSE Research Collaboration Grants are intended to encourage collaborations between disciplines and/or institutions to advance exploration of an important topic.

Research Collaboration Grants were launched in autumn 2023, combining two former RSE awards: Research Workshops and Research Networks.

Applicant eligibility

• The awards are open to applications from Principal Investigators from all academic disciplines and all career stages who are eligible as one of the following:
  • A full or part-time academic in any academic discipline and are tenured and/or salaried staff of a higher education institution (HEI), further education institute (FEI), research institution (RI) or cultural institution (CI) where the main offices and facilities are located in Scotland. Applicants must be on open-ended, continuing, or fixed-term contracts which extend three months beyond the end date of the envisaged award period. The RSE award cannot be used to extend an applicant’s contract. Applicants must not be a PhD candidate.
  • A retired academic in any academic field who retains demonstrable links with a Scottish HEI, RI or CI with a demonstrable commitment to teaching and research within that institution.
  • A full or part-time practitioner or research-active member of staff in any academic field employed by a Scottish Cultural Institution with a demonstrable commitment to teaching and research within that institution.
• Applicants on short or fixed-term contracts should ensure their contracts extend for at least three months after the end of the proposed project. Early-career researchers on staged contracts to permanent lectureship positions are eligible, but must be under contract for the duration of the award.
• Joint applications are accepted for the Research Collaboration Grants to bring together complementary skills and expertise.
• Collaborations may be between Scottish or overseas (UK and overseas) HEIs and/or practitioners, policymakers, research institutions, and cultural institutions, provided that the lead applicant is based in Scotland and the key principles of the awards scheme are recognised.
• Applicants may add up to two co-applicants. Co-applicants have an equitable status as a PI. Co-applicants may be affiliated to a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in or outwith Scotland (UK or overseas). Co-applicants are expected to carry the same status as the Principal Investigator. The award payment will remain between the RSE and the institution to which the Principal Investigator belongs. At the application stage, applicants must submit a statement of support from Co-applicants. Detailed requirements of the statement can be found in the General Terms & Conditions.
• In addition to co-applicants, applicants may include anyone who is involved to varying degrees in the proposed project as collaborators. Collaborators are not bound by the same eligibility requirements as the Principal Investigator or the co-applicants. They may be listed under ‘Project Management Personnel’ in the application form. There is no need for collaborators to provide a statement of support.
• A new application will not be considered when a report on a previous RSE award is overdue.

Project eligibility

• Applicants may submit only one proposal to the RSE per funding round. Applicants should apply to the scheme best suited to the proposed project.
• RSE Research Collaboration Grants can be held in any discipline or subject area.
• RSE Research Collaboration Grants are funded for up to 24 months.

Application process

This award is now closed; it will reopen as part of the autumn 2026 open call from noon on 2 September to noon on 21 October 2026.

Resources and applicants

1. Research Collaboration Grants 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.