Funding opportunities
There are a number of internal and external funding opportunities, which aim to facilitate the development of international research collaborations. See more information below.
Faculty
Visiting Scholar Program - Manchester Cell-Matrix Centre
This is a funding stream as part of the Wellcome DRP (Discovery Research Platform) to the Centre, where visiting post-docs/PhDs/Technologists can spend a couple of months at the University of Manchester.
Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists. Opportunity to be hosted in Manchester for hands-on training in cutting-edge matrix biology techniques.
Who Can Apply:
PhD students, postdocs, research associates, & technologists from:
- Lower and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)Under-resourced groups or institutions
- Under-represented backgrounds
For more information email:
Julia.Schoonover@Manchester.ac.uk
University
University of Washington
Research Seed Fund – opening this Monday 1 December
Our newest partnership between the University of Washington and The University of Manchester was launched earlier this year and we encourage anyone who has a potential project to consider applying for this new call.
The purpose is to initiate or develop new research partnerships. Funds will be awarded to projects which encourage the building of networks of researchers and have clearly defined plans for future funding.
Key dates
- Call for proposals open - Monday 1 December 2025
- Deadline for submission - Saturday 31 January 2026, 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)
- Applicants notified – by mid-February 2026
- Project start date - from 15 February 2026.
Seed Funds launching soon: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India and CUHK
Research seed funds currently being developed
We’re currently working on new seed funds due to open in early 2026. For now, we can share the provisional dates, as below.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is India’s top private university for Health and Life Sciences, with special emphasis on clinical sciences, cardiovascular medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and pharmacology. Its research footprint extends to chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science and economics. MAHE performs strongly in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for research related to the SDGs, particularly in health, education, gender equality.
Key dates
- Call for proposals opens - 12 January 2026
- Deadline for submission - 18 February (5-week application window)
- Applicants notified - by mid-April
- Project start date - 1 May
Chinese University of Hong Kong - Opens January 2026, closes March 2026.
Further details and updates will be communicated through this wesbite.
International Partnership PhD Studentships
This programme will allow you to gain a global perspective on your specialist area of research. You'll be based at Manchester but will spend time with a partner university, learning from leading academics and benefitting from research expertise and facilities at both institutes.
These studentships will cover an annual stipend at UKRI rate, tuition fees, a £5,000 p/a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), and a £1,000 contribution towards your postgraduate research travel costs.
Available projects are advertised in partnership with a range of global universities and research institutes including:
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
- Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
- University of Helsinki (Finland)
- University of Lausanne (Switzerland)
- University of Padua (Italy)
Equity and Merit Scholarships for international master’s students
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals set the direction toward a better, more sustainable future for all. Our Equity and Merit Scholarships aim to empower young professionals in the Global South to deliver solutions to meet these interlinked goals.
Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries.
The awards are intended for those who cannot afford to study in Manchester without a scholarship. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and all applications are considered on their merit. We particularly encourage women to apply.
We offer two types of scholarship:
- Full-time, on-campus master’s (one-year duration).
- Part-time, distance learning master’s (three to five years duration).
There are 30 scholarships (20 for full-time study and ten for online study) available for a range of courses in engineering, environment, health sciences, development, education, textiles and law. The scheme is open to applicants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The scholarships cover full tuition fees, and for students who will be studying in Manchester, the award includes return international airfares, living expenses and visas.
Application opens 1st August 2025
External
Daiwa Foundation Awards
Awards of £9,000-£18,000 are available for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together in the context of an institutional relationship.
In order to fund as many applications as we possibly can, given our limited budget, we typically award an average of £9,000 to successful Award applications. Our funding rarely covers an application’s budget in full, but is meant to be a “contribution” to the proposed project.
- £9,000-£18,000 Organisational collaborative project, all fields
- Deadlines: twice a year, 30 September (notification of results to be sent by 30 November) and 31 March every year, notification of results to be sent by 31 May
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants
- £3m,000-£4,000 all fields
- Application from UK researchers to UK office or Japanese researchers to Japan office
- Deadlines: twice a year, 30 September and 31 March every year, notification of results to be sent by 31 May
Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
Butterfield awards: £10,000 per year up to three years
Deadline: 15 December every year to start the project in the middle of March
Travel grants: £2,000 to £2,500 for more than two weeks
Deadline: 31st March, 15th September and 15th December for consideration by our Trustees in May, November and March respectively.
The Sakura Science Exchange Program
The Sakura Science Exchange Program (SSEP, sponsored by JST -Japan Science and Technology Agency) that offers students/staff access to short-term overseas activities during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. This also extends to post-docs and junior faculties.
Course A: Science and Technology Experience Course
Course B: Collaborative Research Activities Course
Course C: Science and Technology Training Course
This Japanese government initiative would cover travel expenses, allowing Manchester students to participate without financial burden.
The SSEP operates with multiple application deadlines throughout the year. You can find application details here
Horizon Europe
There are currently 469 calls open for submission.
BBSRC International Travel Award Scheme (ITAS)
Closing date: rolling call
To help scientists add an international dimension to their BBSRC-funded research by making and establishing new contacts with international counterparts. Applicants must hold an active BBSRC grant.
UKRI Collaborate with researchers in Brazil
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and FAPESP have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support collaborative applications. It provides for a lead agency agreement whereby participant UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Brazil-based researchers from the state of São Paulo on behalf of both organisations.
Closing date: Open - no closing date
MRC Pre-announcement: Japan research collaboration in neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia
Closing date: TBC
Apply for funding to work with researchers in Japan in the fields of neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. MRC will provide matched funding with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).