International research collaborations are becoming increasingly important in tackling complex global challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy transitions, food security, public health, and artificial intelligence for development. To support these efforts, the Researcher Challenges Grants 2026 programme is now accepting applications from eligible institutions seeking to establish impactful international research partnerships.
The programme offers grants of up to £40,000 to support collaborative projects between eligible institutions in the United Kingdom and partner organizations in Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, and Palestine. Managed under the Going Global Partnerships initiative, the funding is designed to strengthen research capacity, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and create sustainable international research networks.
If your institution is looking for international research funding, research collaboration grants, or global partnership opportunities in 2026, this programme provides an excellent opportunity to build long-term partnerships while addressing pressing development challenges.
About the Researcher Challenges Grants 2026
The Researcher Challenges Grants programme supports collaborative research initiatives that foster international cooperation between UK higher education institutions and eligible research partners in selected countries. The grants aim to strengthen research capacity while encouraging innovative solutions to global issues through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Successful projects will receive funding for 12 months, beginning in January 2027, with grants of up to £40,000 available for approved partnerships.
The initiative focuses on supporting research collaborations that generate lasting academic partnerships and contribute to sustainable development through knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Programme Objectives
The Researcher Challenges Grants programme has several key objectives, including:
- Building the capacity of early-career researchers through mentorship from experienced researchers.
- Encouraging knowledge exchange across institutions and countries.
- Strengthening mentorship relationships between senior and emerging researchers.
- Promoting interdisciplinary research collaborations.
- Supporting innovative research addressing climate change, sustainable energy, public health, food security, and artificial intelligence for development.
- Creating long-term international research networks.
- Encouraging collaborative project design that addresses local and global development priorities.
The programme seeks to ensure that participating institutions continue working together beyond the duration of the funded project.
Priority Research Areas
Projects are expected to focus on one or more global development challenges, including:
- Climate change
- Sustainable energy transitions
- Public health
- Food security
- Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D)
- Other interdisciplinary solutions addressing global development challenges
Applicants are encouraged to develop context-specific research ideas that can generate meaningful social and environmental impact.
Partnership Activities
Funded partnerships are expected to organize activities that strengthen research collaboration and researcher development.
These include:
Virtual Research Workshops
Partnerships will organize virtual workshops involving senior researchers acting as mentors alongside early-career researchers participating in collaborative discussions.
Challenge Prize
Each partnership will design a Challenge Prize that encourages early-career researchers to develop innovative projects related to the workshop theme.
Knowledge Exchange
Projects should facilitate collaboration between institutions while encouraging the sharing of expertise, research methodologies, and best practices.
Promotion and Dissemination
Successful partnerships are expected to promote project activities and outcomes to external stakeholders to increase visibility and encourage wider engagement.
Funding Details
Successful applicants may receive:
- Funding of up to £40,000
- A project duration of 12 months
- Programme commencement in January 2027
The funding supports partnership activities that strengthen research collaboration and institutional capacity.
Eligible Countries
The programme supports collaborations involving:
- United Kingdom (Lead Institution)
- Brazil
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Palestine
The lead applicant must be an eligible UK institution partnering with organizations located in one of the participating countries.
Eligibility
Applications are open to:
- Higher education institutions
- Not-for-profit research institutions
- Eligible research establishments
- Other qualifying organizations that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements
Only the lead UK institution can initiate and submit the online application.
Applicants should carefully review the official Call Guidance document before preparing their proposals.
Application Process
Institutions interested in applying should complete the online application using the designated grant platform.
Applications require:
- Completion of the official online application form
- Registration on the grant platform
- Submission by the lead UK institution
- Compliance with all eligibility requirements outlined in the Call Guidance
Supporting documentation, including an offline reference version of the application form and grant agreement template, is available to assist applicants during proposal preparation.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
17 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. BST
Late applications are not expected to be considered, so applicants should begin preparing their proposals well in advance of the closing date.
Why Apply?
The Researcher Challenges Grants programme provides much more than financial support. It enables institutions to:
- Build international research partnerships.
- Expand global research networks.
- Develop early-career researchers.
- Increase institutional research capacity.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Generate innovative solutions to major global challenges.
- Establish partnerships that continue beyond the grant period.
For universities and research institutions seeking to strengthen international collaboration while addressing real-world development issues, this programme represents a valuable opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The Researcher Challenges Grants 2026 programme offers an excellent opportunity for higher education and research institutions to build meaningful international partnerships while advancing research on some of today’s most urgent global challenges. With grants of up to £40,000, the initiative supports collaborative research, researcher development, mentorship, and knowledge exchange across multiple countries.
Eligible institutions interested in expanding their international research portfolio should review the programme guidance carefully and begin preparing their collaborative proposals before the 17 September 2026 application deadline.
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