2025 UK-KSA Research Collaboration Grants Up to £80,000 for Joint Scientific Projects: (Deadline 24 September, 2025)

UK-KSA Research Collaboration Grants Up to £80,000 for Joint Scientific Projects

Introduction/Background

The UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are joining forces to foster groundbreaking scientific research through a new funding opportunity under the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). The British Council invites proposals for joint research collaborations from UK and KSA institutions. Successful applicants will receive up to £80,000 in seed funding over two years to initiate or deepen strategic academic partnerships.

This initiative aims to address critical global challenges under shared thematic priorities while encouraging knowledge exchange and innovation across borders. The call aligns with the ISPF’s mission of building long-term, sustainable international relationships rooted in research excellence.

What the Opportunity Offers

The UK-KSA Research Collaboration Grants provide funding for collaborative projects that meet the following objectives:

• Initiate new partnerships between academic institutions in the UK and KSA.

• Strengthen existing collaborations at the departmental or institutional level.

• Engage with non-academic stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, and community groups.

• Establish local hubs for continued UK-Saudi Arabia joint activity in targeted research areas.

Each successful project will receive funding of up to £80,000, to be shared among the partners over a two-year period (February 2026 – January 2028).

Thematic Areas of Focus

Proposals must align with one or more of the following bilateral priority themes:

1. Resilient Planet: Leading the Green Industrial Revolution

   • Water efficiency, treatment, and engineering

   • Environmental monitoring, modelling, and protection

2. Healthy People: Researching and Innovating for Secure and Healthy Populations

   • Antimicrobial resistance and tackling future epidemics

   • Early diagnosis and precision medicine

   • Genomics and genetic diseases

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applications must be submitted by a UK lead applicant who meets the following eligibility criteria:

• Must be an established researcher employed by a UK not-for-profit higher education institution or eligible research organisation.

  Education grants

• Must have a contract that spans the full project duration (Emeritus and Honorary Professors are not eligible to lead).

• Must have the capacity to undertake high-quality research and collaboration.

KSA partners must also be established researchers based at recognised institutions in Saudi Arabia. The research team should demonstrate a strong collaborative approach and a clear commitment to long-term engagement.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official British Council grants portal:
Submit your application here

Before applying, review the Applicant Guidelines and Application Form carefully:

• Download Applicant Guidelines (PDF)

• Download Application Form (DOCX)

Ensure that the complete application is submitted by 24 September 2025 at 12:00pm UK time. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed by expert panels based on:

• Relevance to one or more of the priority themes

• Strength of the proposed collaboration

• Potential for long-term impact and sustainability

• Capacity of both institutions to deliver high-quality research

Please note that no revisions or clarifications will be allowed after the submission deadline.

About the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF)

The ISPF supports UK-based researchers and innovators to collaborate globally on the major themes of our time—planet, health, technology, and talent. The fund is managed by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technologyand implemented by a consortium that includes:

• • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

  • The British Council

  • The UK Academies

  • The Met Office

  • National Physical Laboratory

  • UK Atomic Energy Authority

  • Universities UK International

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The British Council and ISPF are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable research environment. Applicants are encouraged to address barriers to participation and ensure representation from underrepresented groups.

Contact and Enquiries

For more information or application support, contact:
Email: ISPF-KSA@britishcouncil.org

Conclusion

This is a timely and strategic opportunity for researchers in the UK and Saudi Arabia to work together in tackling some of the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. Whether you’re developing a new collaboration or scaling an existing one, the UK-KSA Research Collaboration Grants provide the support and platform to turn your ideas into impactful research outcomes.

Deadline: 24 September, 2025

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE & APPLY