Universities UK International UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology Grants Scheme

Funding for Universities UK member organisations for activities that support the development of new or existing partnerships between UK higher education institutions and France. Supported projects are expected to then work towards a submission of a Horizon Europe application.

Universities UK International (UUKi) is the international arm of Universities UK, representing UK universities and acting in their collective interests globally. UUKi actively promotes universities abroad, provides information for and about them, and creates new opportunities for the sector.

UUKi has launched the UK-France Science, Innovation, and Technology Researcher Grant Scheme with funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) via the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). The scheme is in line with the objectives established at the UK-France bilateral research dialogue, where the UK and French government each committed funding to support the establishment and development of research collaborations on a bilateral basis between the UK and France.

Grants are available exclusively to UUK member institutions to use in the context of research and innovation partnerships with France. Applications are encouraged from institutions for activities that support the development of new, recently established or dormant partnerships between the UK and France. Applicants should demonstrate how the targeted activities will support or enable researchers to develop collaborative activity between the two countries, with a goal of working towards a submission of a Horizon Europe application, building on their grant idea when a relevant call opens.

Project activity could include:

• Feasibility studies.
• Project development workshops.
• Application advice and training.
• Partnership building.
• Resource to develop an application for Horizon Europe participation.