International Exchanges
The Royal Society International Exchanges scheme funds UK scientists to start new global natural science collaborations through short or multi-visit exchanges.
Funder: Royal Society
Due Dates: March 18, 2026 (Global Round 1) | June 4, 2026 (Global Round 2 & Cost Share Round 2) | September 24, 2026 (Global Round 3 & Cost Share Round 3)
Funding Amounts: Up to £12,000 for a 2-year project (Global or Cost Share); some cost-share rounds provide an additional £12,000 equivalent from partner funders.
Summary: Supports UK-based scientists to initiate new international research collaborations via funded visits and staff exchanges.
Key Information: Scheme is for new, not ongoing, collaborations; both UK and overseas partners must apply.
Description
The International Exchanges scheme from the Royal Society provides funding for UK-based scientists to establish new research collaborations with leading scientists around the world. The grant can support either a one-off short visit to explore partnership opportunities or multiple bilateral visits over up to two years to strengthen emerging collaborations. The scheme is designed to provide seed funding for new partnerships, enable exchange of staff and expertise, and help gather preliminary data to support future research applications. There are multiple calls each year, including Global rounds (open to all non-UK countries) and Cost Share rounds (co-funded with specific international partner agencies).
