The International Collaboration Fund is intended to promote connectivity between Scotland and European research partners with the aim of strengthening existing and seeding future research relationships, and creating paths to European research funding.

The focus of ICF 2026 is to stimulate research activity in pursuit of high quality research proposals targeting European sources of funding, and in particular Horizon Europe.  Research Innovation Scotland is particularly interested in supporting early career researchers to secure funded research projects.  ICF awards can be used for a variety of collaborative activities that increase the viability and likelihood of success of an ERC proposal, including but not limited to network development, proposal development and refinement, or researcher training.

Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the extent to which proposed activities are demonstrated to increase the likelihood of successfully securing future research funding.  Applications should be described for a lay audience, outside of the field(s) of research.

Applicants can be from any discipline or department within a Scottish University or Research Institute.

For bilateral exchanges, funding can be used to support inbound travel for researchers from EU Member States, EEA and EFTA countries and outbound travel for researchers from Scottish Universities and Research Institutes.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate an alignment to European Research Council funding and training, especially Horizon Europe.

You can apply for up to £5,000 for research visits, exchanges and collaboration activities. Awards will cover travel, accommodation, subsistence, and reasonable additional costs arising from Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) considerations.

This funding call is run on behalf of Research Innovation Scotland with a different member running the funding call each year.

Eligibility

• The lead applicant must be actively undertaking research within a Scottish University or Research Institute i.e., postdoctoral researcher, research fellow or principal investigator
• Exchanges must take place between Scotland and an EU Member State, EEA or EFTA country
• Projects may build on, or be extensions to, existing activity or may be new developments
• For visits and exchanges a maximum of £5,000 can be applied for and visits can be a maximum of 3 months, we expect the amount requested to reflect the duration
• We strongly recommend the lead applicant is registered on the Horizon Europe Portal
• We strongly recommend the proposal links to a defined funding call or mission
• We strongly recommend that applications include collaborators from universities or institutes external to their own, whether in Scotland, the rUK or rEurope
• Eligible costs are restricted to economy travel with subsistence and accommodation rates limited to the values detailed below*

* As a guide for justified costs for travel:

• Air travel should be limited to economy
• Accommodation should be no more than £160 per night (for extended trips rented accommodation should be sought). Airbnb is not permitted unless explicitly allowed by your University
• Subsistence should not exceed £60 per day

Conditions

• An end of project report must be submitted to Research Innovation Scotland within two weeks of completion.
• Requests for further information on outputs/career progression etc. from the exchange at later dates may be requested by Research Innovation Scotland, and must be provided from the recipient.
• Research Innovation Scotland reserves the right to claw back funds should the grant not be used in accordance with these T&Cs.
• Any funds unspent will be returned to Research Innovation Scotland.

Exclusions

• Visa costs for incoming or outgoing exchanges/placements will not be covered.
• Funding must not be used for attendance at conferences, training seminars or similar. You may attend a conference in the country you are visiting but expenses associated with the conference (internal travel, subsistence, conference fees) cannot be claimed.
• Funds cannot be used to cover salaries, equipment or research costs.

This call is currently closed. Keep an eye on SULSA’s website and social media for updates on this call re-opening.

Check out the previously awarded projects at Research Innovation Scotland.