Research Collaboration Grants combines two former RSE awards: Research Workshops and Research Networks. Small Research Grants are designed to support personally conducted high-quality research. The awards are available to cover eligible costs arising from a defined research project. They are designed to encourage high-quality research and academic innovation and, where possible, to integrate with the overall programme of awards such that successful applications may lead to future bids for RSE Research Collaboration Grants or act as preliminary investigations for other larger research awards. Research Collaboration Grants are intended to encourage collaborations between disciplines and/or institutions to advance exploration of an important topic. Any events organised must be outwith the RSE’s and Young Academy’s own programme of meetings.

The Small Research Grants offer a maximum of £5,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, while the Research Collaboration Grants provide a maximum of £10,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months. Both awards are open to Principal Investigators from all academic disciplines and career stages. The RSE encourages applications that bring together complementary skills and expertise for the Research Collaboration Grants.

Eligible applicants include full or part-time academics, retired academics with demonstrable links to a Scottish institution, and full or part-time practitioners or research-active staff from a Scottish Cultural Institution. Applicants on fixed-term contracts must ensure their contracts extend at least three months beyond the end of the proposed project. Joint applications are accepted, and co-applicants can be from within or outside Scotland, but the lead applicant must be based in Scotland. Co-applicants must meet the same eligibility criteria as the Principal Investigator.

Eligible costs for funding vary between the two awards but can include travel, event costs, administrative assistance, and contributions towards salaries. Other eligible costs include training for the Principal Investigator and co-applicants, library and copyright fees, equipment, translation services, and costs associated with disseminating results. The RSE encourages applicants to consider low-carbon options for travel and events.

Ineligible costs include insurance, medical expenses, computer hardware, bench fees, departmental costs, and alcohol. Subventions for publishing and replacement staff time are also not funded. Applicants can only submit one proposal to the RSE per funding round, and a new application will not be considered if a report on a previous RSE award is overdue.

The application deadline is October 22, 2025, at 12 noon. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of January 2026, and a public announcement of the awards will be made in February 2026. The earliest start date for successful projects is March 1, 2026, with the latest start date being August 31, 2026.

For more information, visit RSE.