Internationalisation

What is the Radboud – Glasgow Collaboration Fund?

Radboud University and the University of Glasgow signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018, renewed in 2023, outlining plans to work closely together as strategic partners.

As part of the plans to work together, the Radboud-Glasgow Collaboration Fund was established to:

• Facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities;
• Encourage innovative learning and teaching practices and initiatives;
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary and cutting-edge research;
• Encourage international staff mobility and provide opportunities for development.

The Fund is overseen by the Radboud-Glasgow Joint Steering Committee (SC) and is designed to promote projects which pursue the following high-level goals:

• Research (in any discipline, for one-year projects - maximum budget for each project is £20,000)
• Learning and Teaching (teaching initiatives such as dual degrees, jointly taught modules etc. - maximum budget for each project is £20,000)
• Short-term staff mobility (professional development; exchange of knowledge and experience [e.g. work shadowing]; to deliver guest lectures; or to develop a new collaboration initiative; to prepare an external grant funding proposal. 

Both Glasgow and Radboud are comprehensive research-intensive Universities and founding members of The Guild network of European Research-Intensive Universities. This funding is an opportunity to build on our many existing research links. Radboud is also a partner for student mobility.

Priority funding

In 2023 it was announced that both universities would increase their investment in the Radboud-Glasgow partnership. This increase in funding allows the RGCF to better support the high-level goals of the collaboration through priority funding.

The RGCF welcomes projects that will set out a more ambitious vision and that include, but are not restricted to, the following:

• Contribute to both Glasgow’s and Radboud’s long-term EDI/DEI goals in relation to any or all of, the implementation, content, or impact of research or learning & teaching projects.
• Focus on civic engagement.
• Contribute to both Glasgow's and Radboud's long-term sustainability goals, in relation to any or all of, the implementation, content, or impact of research or learning & teaching projects.
• Aim to use the RGCF as seed funding for bigger projects by developing a portfolio of research over (max) 5 years with the aim of applying for a large research grant.
• Are interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary.
• Contribute to or create and maintain and international classroom for students of both institutions.
• Seek to further strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions by developing mobility and/or exchange opportunities relating to the topic of the proposal.

Funding for 2026-27

The maximum budget for each Research and Learning & Teaching project is £20,000.
The budget for the projects will be transferred in August and must be spent by 31 July 2027.

Please note that short‑term mobility applications are currently closed and may re‑open in later in 2026, subject to remaining funds.

Who is it for?

Academic and professional staff from all disciplines at Radboud and Glasgow and their affiliated Research Centres and Institutes are invited to apply to this funding opportunity. Please refer to the Guidelines for Applicants section 1 for full details on the eligibility of staff permitted to apply. 

Staff applying for the Research and Learning & Teaching projects will need to identify a member of staff at Radboud with whom they intend to work with. 

1. Could you elaborate on the research portfolio aspect of the application?
We are asking applicants to outline the strategic ambition of their project from the outset. This includes considering whether the project has potential longevity beyond the initial 1-year funding period. For follow-up funding applications, applicants must outline what has been completed to date, whether previously set targets were met and proposed development for the project. Funding is awarded on a year-by-year basis, so continuation is not guaranteed.

2. Can a PhD student or affiliate be a Project Lead?
No. PhD students and individuals with affiliate status may participate as collaborators, but they cannot act as Project Leads.

3. What is the application success rate?
Across the past 7 calls, the scheme has received 128 applications, of which 47 have received funding. Typically, 6-7 projects are funded each year.

4. Will the committee reconsider the original project when assessing a follow-up funding application?
Each application is assessed on its own merit. Follow-up funding proposals must include outcomes and impact of the original project, evidence that initial targets were met, and a clear justification for further funding. We are not looking to fund a simple continuation of the same activities; follow-on proposals should demonstrate added value.

5. Could you elaborate on Horizon Europe applications?
Horizon Europe is a key priority area for both universities. We are particularly interested in funding projects that could act as a foundation for future large-scale European funding bids. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their collaboration might lead to external funding.

The Research Support Offices at both Radboud and Glasgow are closely connected and can provide advice and support for projects applying for external funding.

6. Can the funds be used to support third parties relevant to the project (e.g. travel or accommodation for NGOs)?
Yes – if the costs are clearly justified by the project goals, it is possible for funding to cover expenses for external partners who contribute to the collaboration.

For more information: RGCF Q&A 2025

Finally
It is always a good idea to get in touch with your College International Deans or School International Lead who may be able to help align the application with strategic goals locally as well as the Global Glasgow strategy. They may also be able to help identifying additional or complementary funding that may be appropriate for the application.

2025-2026  Research and Learning/Teaching funded projects

 2024-2025 Research and Learning/Teaching funded projects

 2023-2024 Research and Learning/Teaching funded projects