RSE International Joint Projects

The RSE International Joint Projects aims to facilitate international collaboration between researchers based in Scotland with researchers overseas. Applications for two-year joint projects are invited from Scotland-based researchers to include an overseas higher education institution (HEI), research institution (RI) or cultural institution (CI) of your choice (open to all countries). The RSE provides up to a maximum of £6,000 per year and up to a maximum of £12,000 over two years. The collaborating institution is expected to provide the equivalent level of funding per two-year joint project.

For Scotland-based researchers

The Principal Investigator (PI) must be of at least postdoctoral status or equivalent
PI and Scottish-based collaborators must be employed by a employed by a Scottish HEI, further education institution (FEI), RI or CI
Unrestricted number of participants per team. PhD students may be included; however, their international activities (travel, subsistence, etc.) cannot be funded with project money
Visits must take place in both directions.

For International researchers:

PI must hold a postdoctoral or equivalent degree.
PI and overseas based collaborators must be employed by an HEI, RI or CI
An unlimited number of participants per team. PhD students may be included: however, their international activities (e.g., travel, subsistence costs etc.) while visiting in Scotland cannot be funded with Scottish PI project money
Visits must take place in both directions.

An applicant can only apply once per deadline. Current Scotland-based holders of an RSE International Joint Project award are not eligible to apply. Holders of other RSE awards are eligible to apply.

Applicants on short or fixed-term contracts should ensure their contracts extend for at least 3 months after the end of the proposed project. Early Career Researchers (ECRs) on staged contracts to permanent lectureship positions are eligible for an RSE International Joint Project award but must be in contract for the duration of the award.

RSE International Joint Projects can be held in all academic disciplines.
Applications will only be considered for bilateral, not multilateral, projects. The collaboration should be based on a single project, with two teams or individuals based in Scotland and in the partner institution. The collaboration should involve bilateral exchanges between Scotland and the partner institution.
An institutional statement of the host institution and a letter of invitation from the collaborator will be required as part of the application. A statement of support from the Scottish PI’s head of department, an institutional statement of support will be required if the application is successful.
Successful applications should have a start date between 1^st March – 31st August 2024.

Applications are welcomed from noon 7 September 2023 – noon 26 October 2023.

Create a profile or log-in here.
Once into your profile, access and complete the online application – access to the application form is only available if you are logged-in. Google Chrome is the recommended browser.

RSE International Joint Projects terms and conditions

RSE Research Awards general terms and conditions

What makes a good RSE application?

For more information regarding the award, please contact the Research Awards team at [email protected].