Funding
Global Partnerships can offer both strategic and open funding calls in support of developing and strengthening our global relationships. Information regarding active funding calls can be found below.
- Unless otherwise stated in the guidelines, these funding calls are all largely defined as:
- Open to eligible members of the University of Exeter (acting as the lead PI).
- Will constitute a competitive bid process, during which applications will be,
- Peer-reviewed and assessed by theme / discipline / faculty relevant academics,
- Secondary review by members of the Global Partnerships Team and
- Final funding decisions will be ratified by an appropriate senior member of staff (academic or professional services, as appropriate).
All Global Partnerships funding schemes seek to support high-impact proposals and initiatives that endeavour to both directly and indirectly support both Faculty and University level Global Strategy plans. Examples of this might include initiatives and proposals that seek to bring together teams from Exeter and our partners from across the globe in support of high-impact collaborative research and education.
To ensure good alignment to Faculty and University level global plans, potential applicants to any of the below schemes are highly encouraged to discuss their applications with their Faculty APVC Global and / or Global Partnerships Business Partner.
Please also note that Global Partnerships funding is largely calculated on a financial year-to-year basis. Occasionally, the lifetime of the initiatives that our funding calls support will cross over financial year-end. On such occasions project PIs will be asked to declare (in advance of receiving funds) how their award should be split across the financial year-end.
All internal funding awards allocated by Global Partnerships must be delivered in line with principles of the University Sustainable Travel Policy University Travel Policy 2024.
Funding opportunities
There are numerous external opportunities available for our Exeter academics and students. Please see below links for further information on scholarships, fellowships and exchanges:
The Exeter-Fudan Fellowship scheme has been established to promote research collaboration in areas in which the two institutions share common objectives. Each university will support up to three academics to take up a research placement at the partner university. Owing to differentiation in our respective university financial years, Fudan academics applying to the scheme may be placed at Exeter for an agreed period in the 2026 calendar year (with all eligible travel, accommodation and subsistence costs met by Fudan), whereas Exeter academics applying to the scheme may be placed at Fudan for an agreed period in the 2026-27 academic year, starting from August 2026 (with all eligible travel, accommodation and subsistence costs met by Exeter).
Each partner university commits to supporting their outbound academic staff with domestic and international travel costs, accommodation, subsistence, and local travel costs, with details included in the attached guidelines. Exeter outbound Fellows to Fudan will be supported with up to £3,000 to cover their costs while on the placement at Fudan. Please note, the scheme will not necessarily support two-way exchange unless each outbound fellowship is approved by each of Fudan and Exeter. Exeter will review and approve Exeter outbound fellowships, and Fudan will review and approve Fudan outbound fellowships.
The application form and full guidance notes can be found below. Please consult the guidelines carefully, complete and submit your application form along with supervisor endorsement to GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk by Friday 1 May 2026.
Key Dates
| Call Opens | Monday 9th March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Friday 1st May 2026 |
| Announcement of Results | End of May 2026 |
| Exeter Outbound Travel Period | August 2026 - June 2027 |
If you have any questions or queries, please email Liam Roberts L.P.J.Roberts@exeter.ac.uk (Regional Head for China) or contact the Global Partnerships Team GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk
Exeter-Fudan Fellowship Scheme Guidelines 2026
Exeter-Fudan Fellowship Scheme Application Form 2026
We are pleased to announce applications are now open for the Professional Services Staff Fellowship Program through the UQ Exeter Institute. The Professional Services Staff Fellowship Program provides professional development opportunities and sharing of best practice and experience between colleagues at the University of Queensland and the University of Exeter.
The scheme is now open for applications from professional services staff at Exeter or UQ, with a closing date of 4 May 2026.Exeter is offering up to two Fellowships, each valued at up to £4,000 for Exeter staff to travel to Australia and be hosted by UQ.
Full guidelines and the application form can be found below. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting your application
For any queries, please contact the Global Partnerships office at Exeter: UQ-ExeterInstitute@exeter.ac.uk or UQ: uq-exeter@uq.edu.au
Exeter and UBC Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a growing number of collaborations advancing
mutual interests in teaching, research, and public service through formal agreements and joint funding
mechanisms dating back to 2017.
Catalyst Grants are intended to support larger scale initiatives with the aim of securing external funding and/or producing high-level outputs and impact. It is anticipated that academic faculty and staff at both universities with excellent, and complementary, expertise and capability will have already established a working relationship and track record that can be demonstrated as part of the application.
Two Catalyst Grants are available each year. Applications up to a maximum GBP 16,000 / CAD $27,500 are invited.
Key dates:
- Launch: April 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 3, 2026
- Award notice: Late July 2026
- Earliest project start: August 15, 2026
- Project end: July 31, 2027
- Final report: August 31, 2027
If you would like any additional information please contact Stuart Westhead (Global Partnerships Regional Head – North America & Europe) S.westhead@exeter.ac.uk or the Global Partnerships Team GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk
Guidelines and forms can be found below. Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting your application to both institutions.
UBCO Catalyst Guidelines 2026.pdf
UBCO Catalyst Application Form 2026.docx
UBCO Catalyst Signature Form.pdf
Exeter and UBC Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a growing number of collaborations advancing
mutual interests in teaching, research, and public service through formal agreements and joint funding
mechanisms dating back to 2017.
Initiator Grants support pilot projects to establish or broaden collaboration and increase the impact of research or education activities domestically and internationally.
Eight Initiator Grants are available each year. Applications up to a maximum GBP £4,000 / CAD $7,000 are invited.
Key dates:
- Launch: April 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 3, 2026
- Award notice: Late July 2026
- Earliest project start: August 15, 2026
- Project end: July 31, 2027
- Final report: August 31, 2027
If you would like any additional information please contact Stuart Westhead (Global Partnerships Regional Head – North America & Europe) S.westhead@exeter.ac.uk or the Global Partnerships Team GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk
Guidelines and forms can be found below. Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting your application to both institutions.
UBCO Initiator Grant Guidelines 2026.pdf
UBCO Initiator Grant Application Form 2026.docx
UBCO Initiator Signature Form 2026.pdf
Exeter and UBC Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a growing number of collaborations advancing
mutual interests in teaching, research, and public service through formal agreements and joint funding
mechanisms dating back to 2017.
Visiting Academic Grants aim to develop and expand relationships between Exeter and UBCO to support both research and education initiatives, and to enable grant holders to develop projects for Initiator Grant funding, Catalyst funding and/or competitive, larger scale external grant applications.
Two Visiting Academic Grants are available each year, one to a member of UBCO and one to a member of Exeter. Applications up to a maximum GBP £4,000 / CAD $7,000 are invited.
Key dates:
- Launch: April 2, 2026
- Application deadline: June 3, 2026
- Award notice: Late July 2026
- Earliest project start: August 15, 2026
- Project end: July 31, 2027
- Final report: August 31, 2027
If you would like any additional information please contact Stuart Westhead (Global Partnerships Regional Head – North America & Europe) S.westhead@exeter.ac.uk or the Global Partnerships Team GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk
Guidelines and forms can be found below. Please read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting your application to both institutions.
UBCO Visiting Academic Guidelines 2026.pdf
UBCO Visiting Academic Application Form 2026.docx
UBCO Visiting Academic Signature Form 2026.pdf
The University of Exeter and Université Paris-Saclay are delighted to announce the second edition of the Bilateral Strategic Funding Scheme, launched following the agreement signed on 2 July 2025 for a three-year period.
This funding is open to teams across all scientific disciplines, with priority given to the following areas:
- Environment and Climate Science
- Law and Social Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences
- Sport and Health Sciences
- Global Health, One Health, and Antimicrobial Resistance
The Seed Fund Grant supports short-term mobility for teaching and research staff from both institutions.
- Maximum funding: €2,000 / £1,700
- Application deadline: 5 June 2026
Applicants will need to complete the application via the “démarche numérique” platform in conjunction with their counterpart(s) at the partner institution. Both a lead applicant and co-applicant at the partner institution will need to be nominated for each application.
Please find the full guidelines and application link below. Please also note:
- Applications accepted in English only.
- Important: Emails sent by the “Démarche numérique” platform may be filtered as spam. Please check your junk folder regularly.
Exeter - Saclay Seed Fund Grant Guidelines 2026
Application Link: https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/strategic-partnership-seed-fund-grant
The University of Exeter and Université Paris-Saclay are delighted to announce the second edition of the Bilateral Strategic Funding Scheme, launched following the agreement signed on 2 July 2025 for a three-year period.
This funding is open to teams across all scientific disciplines, with priority given to the following areas:
- Environment and Climate Science
- Law and Social Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences
- Sport and Health Sciences
- Global Health, One Health, and Antimicrobial Resistance
The Accelerator Grant supports larger-scale initiatives aimed at securing external funding and/or delivering high-impact outputs. Proposals are expected from academic teams at both institutions with established collaboration and complementary expertise.
- Maximum funding: €10,000 / £8,500
- Application deadline: 5 June 2026
Applicants will need to complete the application via the “démarche numérique” platform in conjunction with their counterpart(s) at the partner institution. Both a lead applicant and co-applicant at the partner institution will need to be nominated for each application.
Please find the full guidelines and application link below. Please also note:
- Applications accepted in English only.
- Important: Emails sent by the “Démarche numérique” platform may be filtered as spam. Please check your junk folder regularly.
Exeter - Saclay Accelerator Grant Guidelines 2026
Application Link: https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/strategic-partnership-accelerator-grant
Other funding opportunities and links
The Fulbright University of Exeter Award covers a three-to-nine month project for researching, lecturing or teaching in or across any research-active departments at the university.
The Fulbright All Disciplines Scholar Award allows academics and professionals to undertake lecturing and/or research in any discipline at any accredited US university for between three-to-twelve months.
More information can be found here and here.
For assistance with the application process, please contact:
Marie-Joelle West
M.A.West@exeter.ac.uk
The Fullbright Commission are looking to applicants who can engage with the USA in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.
There are several Postgraduate Awards available each year. The All Disciplines Award is by far the most competitive, so it’s important to apply for an award that best fits your experience and interest.
Visit the Fullbright Commission website for further details regarding all the awards available.
The Fulbright Specialist Programme allows universities, cultural centres, non-governmental organisations, and other institutions abroad to host a leading U.S. academic or professional to work on diverse, short-term collaborative projects.
Information on eligibility and the application process for the Fulbright Specialist Programme can be found on the website.
Applications for this programme are accepted all year. The Bilateral Teaching Exchange Programme aims to strengthen the international teaching experience and exposure of Chinese University of Hong Hong (CUHK) faculty members by supporting term-time teaching opportunities at overseas universities.
Find more information here.
The Jean d’Alembert fellowship program Université Paris-Saclay 2027 call for applications is now open.
Through its Jean d'Alembert fellowship programme Université Paris-Saclay wants to allow highly qualified foreign scientists to stay for long periods (from 6 to 12 months) in one of the 275 laboratories of UPSaclay to conduct research, training & dissemination activities. Scientists from all disciplines and all countries are eligible. The topic and the period of the stay must be decided with the Paris-Saclay host laboratory before the application.
Eligibility:
- Junior Researchers: Candidates who have obtained their PhD less than ten years before the date of application;
- Senior Researcher: Candidates who have obtained their PhD at least ten years before the date of application.
Benefits:
- Additional monthly salary of €2,800, which will be paid by Université Paris-Saclay during the presence in the lab (employment contract)
- A maximum budget of €10,000 to cover expenses related to the beneficiary’s research activities in the host laboratory of Université Paris-Saclay
Applicants must mention in their scientific project the requested amount and the details of these expenses. Only operating expenses are eligible, personnel expenses are excluded. Duration: 6 months to 1 year. For further information and the application link: Call for research and development projects | University of Paris-Saclay
The Visiting Scientists programme offers funding to host international faculty members for 1-6 weeks within UPSaclay constituent colleges, with the purpose of initiating new or reinforcing existing initiatives. Scientists from all disciplines and countries are eligible.
Successful applicants will receive coverage of the visiting researcher’s stay expenses: transport, accommodation, and meals. The allocated amount consists of two fixed parts, set as follows:
- a base amount of €1,000,
- an additional €600 per week of stay.
Eligibility:
- faculty members from Paris-Saclay partner institutions invited by their Paris-Saclay fellows.
Duration:
- The duration of stays may vary from 1 to 6 weeks.
Disciplines/Nationalities:
- no restriction
For further information and the application link: Call for research and development projects | University of Paris-Saclay
Scholarships are available to students of high academic quality from certain Commonwealth countries. You must apply well in advance through the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency in the country in which you have your permanent home. Full details are available on the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission’s website [broken link].
You can also check the Funding Database to search for all available scholarships offered by the University in each department.