Scotland-Taiwan Research and Innovation Workshop Grant

Strengthening collaboration between Scottish and Taiwanese partners through funding of a two-day workshop in Taiwan.

The RSE and the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC), are pleased to invite applications for the Scotland-Taiwan Research and Innovation Workshop Grant.

Scotland-Taiwan Research and Innovation Workshop Grants are intended to facilitate Scotland-Taiwan consortia partnerships through a two-day workshop between disciplines and/or institutions to advance exploration of an important topic. Funding is provided by the RSE and the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC). All topics are welcome, but particularly projects in the fields of Green Energy, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Advanced Manufacturing. Any workshops organised must be outside the RSE’s and Young Academy’s own programme of meetings. Max £10k for up to 6 months.

Objective

To provide eligible Scottish applicants and their Taiwanese collaborators with the opportunity to facilitate a two-day workshop in Taiwan, along with relevant institute visits. This award provides funding for two teams (Scottish and Taiwanese) to establish new collaborations or further develop existing collaborations and apply for seed funding opportunities through the RSE and NSTC. 

Timeline

  • Applications open on 19 June 2026 at 12 noon. 
  • Applications close on 24 July 2026 at 12 noon. 
  • Applicants can expect to hear of the outcome of their application by early September 2026. 
  • The RSE will make a public announcement of the awards in autumn 2026. 
  • Successful applicants can have a start date from 1 October 2026. 

Applicant eligibility

  1. The awards are open to applications from Principal Investigators (PI) from all academic disciplines and mid to senior 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. PIs must be mid- to senior-career academics. 
  • a retired academic in any academic field who retains demonstrable links with a Scottish HEI, FEI, 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. 
  1. Applicants on short or fixed-term contracts should ensure their contracts extend for at least three months after the end of the proposed workshop.  
  2. Joint applications are required to be submitted through both the RSE and the NSTC. 
  3. The Scotland-based PI (only one Scottish PI permitted) should submit their application to the RSE by the application deadline.  
  • Scottish workshop participants can be from all career stages and must be employed by a Scottish HEI, FEI, RI or CI (industry participants are welcomed; however, their costs cannot be covered by the RSE and the NSTC funding). 
  • The number of workshop participants per team is unrestricted (minimum 8 per team) and may include up to three PhD students.  
  1. The Taiwan-based PI should refer directly to the NSTC for their application forms and terms and conditions, and submit their corresponding application to the NSTC by the application deadline. NSTC-eligible institutions are Taiwanese public/private colleges and universities, as well as public/private research or medical institutions. 
  2. Applications can only be accepted if both the RSE and NSTC receive corresponding applications by the application deadline.  
  3. A new application will not be considered from a Scottish-based PI when a report on a previous RSE award is overdue.

Project eligibility

  1. The RSE Scotland – Taiwan Research and Innovation Workshop Grants can be held in any discipline or subject area. All topics are welcome, but projects in the fields of Green Energy, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Advanced Manufacturing are encouraged. 
  2. Workshop grants are funded for up to 6 months (in exceptional circumstances, no-cost extensions for up to 3 months can be considered by the RSE and NSTC). 
  3. Applications will only be considered for a bilateral (Scotland–Taiwan) workshop, not a multilateral one. The collaboration should be based on a single two-day workshop (in-person, hybrid attendance possible), including relevant institute visits. Workshops must take place in Taiwan during 2026 to early 2027. The Scotland team is expected to travel to Taiwan. 
  4. Wider participation from HEIs, practitioners, policymakers, research and cultural institutions, and industry is strongly encouraged by the RSE and NSTC. Leveraging of additional funding is welcomed. 
  5. Any workshop changes must be approved by both the RSE and the NSTC. 

Application process

This award will open on 19 June at noon.

The deadline for applications will be noon on 24 July 2026.

To apply:

  1. Create a profile or log in here.
  2. Once in your profile, complete the online application. The form is only available when the award is open and if you are logged in. The recommended browser is Google Chrome.

Resources for applicants

RSE Scotland – Taiwan Research and Innovation Workshop Scheme terms and conditions

RSE Research Awards general terms and conditions

What makes a good RSE application?

Contact us

For more information regarding the award, please contact the International team at international@therse.org.uk

Deadline

This award is now closed.

Value

Up to £10,000

Duration

Up to 6 months