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External International Funding Opportunities

The list below provides selected information on external funding opportunities that can support faculty research at Notre Dame’s global locations. Please note this is an initial list and we anticipate that it will grow over time.

For questions regarding these funding opportunities, or to share information about additional funding opportunities to support faculty research at global locations, please email Sevda Arslan (sarslan@nd.edu).

The University is dedicated to international collaboration and scholarship with integrity and transparency and in adherence with all of the regulatory requirements that safeguard both the research and the researchers. Specific information and guidance can be found on Notre Dame Research’s website with regard to the following: disclosure requirements, policies, international travel/visitors, along with helpful checklists and training modules.

United States

American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

Over the past century, ACLS has supported individual scholars and scholarly teams around the world in their pursuit of research with the potential to advance knowledge in the humanities and interpretive social sciences.

Their current focus includes providing more pathways for those who have traditionally had less access to external research support and scholarly resources, including first-generation scholars, people from historically marginalized communities, and non-tenure track faculty.

For more information about eligibility, deadlines, and application specifics, check the ACLS website and individual program pages.

ACLS Fellowship Program

The longest running program in the Council’s portfolio, the ACLS Fellowship program supports outstanding scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. In the most recent competition year, ACLS awarded approximately $3.6 million in support to 60 exceptional scholars.

Fellowship Details:

  • Maximum award: $60,000
  • Tenure: six to twelve months devoted to full-time research and/or writing. Six months of the fellowship tenure must be consecutive, but any remainder of the fellow’s award term can be taken separately at a later date within the eligible award window..
  • The fellowship is open to scholars at all postdoctoral career stages, working on or off the tenure track, who have earned a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences.
  • Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS online fellowship and grant administration system (ofa.acls.org).
  • Applicants for the ACLS Fellowship are also eligible for additional opportunities, which require no separate application.
ACLS/New York Public Library Fellowships

ACLS may award residential fellowships in conjunction with The New York Public Library’s Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers. This opportunity does require a separate application.

Fellowship Details:

  • The stipend for ACLS/NYPL fellowships will be $85,000.
  • The Center:
    • Provides opportunities for up to 15 fellows to explore the rich, diverse collections in the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
    • Serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among fellows, invited guests, the wider academic and cultural communities, and the interested public.
    • Provides individual office space and common areas in the Library building.
    • Fellows are required to be in residence and to participate in Center activities, which may include lunches, panel discussions, public conversations, symposia, and interviews.
ACLS Digital Justice Grants

The ACLS Digital Justice Grant program is designed to promote and provide resources for projects at various stages of development that diversify the digital domain, advance justice and equity in digital scholarly practice, and/or contribute to public understanding of racial and social justice issues. The program supports digital projects across the humanities and interpretative social sciences that critically engage with the interests and histories of people of color and other historically marginalized communities through the ethical use of digital tools and methods.

The program offers two kinds of grants:

Digital Justice Seed Grants

    • For projects at early stages of development.
    • Grant amount between $10,000 and $25,000.

Digital Justice Development Grants

    • For projects that have advanced beyond the start-up or early phases of development.
    • Grant amount between $50,000 and $100,000.
ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship program aims to demonstrate the potential of humanistic knowledge and methods to solve problems, build capacity, and advance social justice and equity. It is a priority of the Leading Edge Fellowship program that the application and selection process be broadly inclusive and welcoming of different backgrounds, cultures, and any aspects that make one unique, including disciplinary background and university affiliation, as well as socioeconomic, racial, gender, and other aspects of identity. The fellowships place recent humanities PhDs with nonprofit organizations committed to promoting social justice in their communities.

Fellowship Details:

  • Stipend: $70,000 in year one, and $72,000 in year two, plus health insurance and professional development funding.
  • Relocation: Up to $5,000 in relocation funds for fellows who relocate for in-person and hybrid positions.
  • Tenure: 24 months.
  • Applications will be accepted only through the ACLS Online Fellowship Application system. Please do not contact any of the organizations directly.

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Embassies and Consulates Funding Opportunities
Brazil Chile China Hong Kong India Ireland Israel Italy Kenya Mexico UK
Fulbright Program

Led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects.

Fulbright opportunities:

Fulbright U.S. Scholars: The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 130 countries to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world. You must be a U.S. citizen.

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program: The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to approximately 850 foreign scholars from over 100 countries to conduct post-doctoral research at U.S. institutions from an academic semester to a full academic year.

Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (SIR): The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically driven by the goals of U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization efforts on their campuses. Through the SIR Program, institutions host a scholar from outside of the United States for a semester or full academic year to teach courses, assist in curriculum development, guest lecture, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships and engage with the campus and the local community.

Fulbright Specialist Program: The Fulbright Specialist Program is a unique opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two- to six-week, project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe.

Brazil

SPRINT-São Paulo Researchers in International Collaboration

SPRINT, an initiative by FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation), aims to promote the engagement of researchers affiliated to higher education and research institutions in the state of São Paulo in partnership with researchers abroad to:

  • Improve ongoing research projects; and
  • Work cooperatively aiming at the elaboration of joint medium- and long-term research projects, for submission to FAPESP by researchers from São Paulo, and to partnering funding agencies by their foreign colleagues.

Funding and Project Details:

  • FAPESP will match funding up to the limit of $10,000 per year, per project, with a duration of up to 24 months.
  • Up to the limit equivalent to $10,000 per year, funds can be requested for the mobility of researchers, according to FAPESP standards and must be requested individually for each researcher and per scientific mission :
  • FAPESP will support the researchers from the state of São Paulo in scientific missions at the Partner Institution, and the Partner Institution (or another funding body) will support the researchers from the partner country carrying out scientific missions in the state of São Paulo.
  • The grant can only be used for the exchange of researchers, visits for research planning, participation in workshops, and initial data collection activities to maintain research collaboration and its consolidation.
  • Requests for budget alterations will not be analysed due to available resources destined for the Call,
    • Under exceptional circumstances, requests for extension for up to six additional months, but not including additional resources, may be considered. The submission of extension authorization from the partner institution is obligatory. Requests should be submitted following the guidelines available at www.fapesp.br/565.
  • The Grantee is responsible for visa acquisition with the competent consulate. The Grantee should also verify that there are no restrictions on international travel from Brazil, that in-person activities at the institutions abroad have been normalized, and that no quarantine is required in the country where the internship will occur.

Chile

National Agency for Research and Development (ANID)

ANID is a State Agency that administers and executes postgraduate scholarships, programs and competitions, which aim to promote, encourage and develop research in Chile, in all areas of knowledge, technological development and scientific-technological innovation, in accordance with the policies defined by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.

ANID addresses the needs and challenges of Chile and its inhabitants through five development areas:

  1. Human Capital: This area supports Chilean and foreign people residing in the country by funding postgraduate scholarships to study in Chile and abroad.
  2. Research Projects: Finances individual scientific-technological research by Chileans or foreigners with permanent residence in the country.
  3. Center and Associative Research: Finances, coordinates and link groups of researchers and scientific centres of excellence, forming a network of cutting-edge research and technological development.
  4. Applied Research: Manages and finances scientific and technological research and innovation projects that have a productive, economic or social impact on the country.
  5. Networks, Strategy, and Knowledge: Finances the development of astronomy in Chile, facilitates international scientific collaboration agreements, supports higher education institutions and regional growth through projects to enhance and strengthen capacities in science, technology, knowledge and innovation.

China

Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC)

RGC offers several competitive funding schemes across a wide range of disciplines for researchers, including U.S. faculty who collaborate with local institutions. For eligibility, application details, and specific deadlines, RGC’s official site provides comprehensive guidance and contact points for each program.

Key RGC funding programs include:

General Research Fund (GRF): This flagship RGC program supports researchers at Hong Kong’s universities in conducting academic projects across disciplines, from humanities to engineering. GRF grants are awarded based on academic quality and innovation, supporting diverse research directions crucial to Hong Kong’s academic ecosystem.

Early Career Scheme (ECS): Aimed at early-stage researchers, the ECS provides a platform for junior academics to establish their research careers. This scheme is highly competitive, with projects selected through international peer review. In recent years, the ECS has seen increased participation and a high success rate.

Collaborative Research Fund (CRF): The CRF is dedicated to multi-institutional projects that encourage teamwork among local and international researchers. There are specific grants under CRF, including the Collaborative Research Equipment Grant and the Young Collaborative Research Grant, to support young academics in leading collaborative projects​.

Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS): Focusing on strategic areas like disease prevention, sustainable environment, Hong Kong’s role as a business hub, and emerging tech, TRS is intended for large-scale, high-impact projects with potential long-term benefits for Hong Kong. TRS projects can be awarded up to HK$75 million and have a maximum duration of five years​.

Joint Research Schemes: RGC offers several joint funding opportunities with international bodies, including partnerships with China’s National Natural Science Foundation and funding schemes with European and North American research agencies, which can benefit U.S. faculty engaged in international research collaborations​.

India

India Science, Technology & Innovation Portal

The ISTI Portal is a centralised repository of the content generated related to science, technology and innovation within the Indian STI ecosystem with a significant thrust on reaching out to students, scientists, researchers, youth and the general public to help them choose fellowships, scholarships, funding, and startup opportunities in India.

Visit their website to discover a multitude of funding opportunities.

Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme

VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty Scheme is a dedicated program exclusively for overseas scientists and academicians with emphasis on Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to work as adjunct / visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian Public funded academic and research institutions. The VAJRA Faculty Scheme has been conceptualized to bring an international dimension to the R&D ecosystem of India by leveraging overseas scientists’ expertise to the Indian research framework.

The area of research under taken by the Faculty should be of interest to India including translation of science to practice. Faculty can also do teaching / mentoring during the period of stay. They could play other related roles in scouting for potential technologies within the Institution, review etc. and act as Mentors of start-ups housed at the Institution.

This program is particularly designed to foster partnerships between Indian institutions and the global scientific community, thereby contributing to India’s R&D ecosystem.

Key Details:

Eligibility: Open to overseas scientists/faculty actively engaged in academic, research, or industrial organizations with a proven track record in research and development. Applicants can include NRIs, PIOs, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

Duration: Participants are expected to work in India for 1-3 months annually as adjunct/visiting faculty. The initial appointment is for one year, renewable annually.

Funding: The program provides $15,000 for the first month and $10,000 for each additional month per year to cover honorarium and travel costs. Payments are made in Indian Rupees, and additional support (e.g., accommodation) may be provided by the host institution.

Focus Areas: Collaborative research in science and technology, aligning with Indian research priorities.

Objective: The scheme emphasizes enhancing collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and solving shared problems through diverse perspectives.

Application Timeline: Applications can be submitted at any time during the year. Applications are only received online, at www.serbonline.in.

American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS)

The American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) was formed to further the knowledge of India in the United States by supporting American scholarship in India. The programs of AIIS foster the production of and engagement with scholarship on India, and promote and advance mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and of India. AIIS offers fellowships for scholars, professionals, and artists from all disciplines who wish to conduct research or carry out artistic projects in India

AIIS Fellowships

AIIS offers fellowships for scholars, professionals, and artists from all disciplines who wish to conduct research or carry out artistic projects in India.

The application deadline for the 2024 Fellowship Competition is November 15, 2024.

AIIS fellowships are granted in 4 areas:

Junior Research Fellowships: Available to doctoral candidates at U.S. universities in all fields of study. These grants are specifically designed to enable doctoral candidates to pursue their dissertation research in India. Junior Research Fellows establish formal affiliation with Indian universities and Indian research supervisors.

    • Awards are available for up to 11 months.

Senior Research Fellowships: Available to scholars with a PhD or its equivalent. These grants are designed to enable scholars who specialize in South Asia to pursue further research in India and to establish formal affiliation with an Indian institution.

    • Short-term awards are available for up to four months.
    • Long-term awards are available for six to nine months.

Senior Scholarly/Professional Development Fellowships: Available to established scholars who have not previously specialized in Indian studies and to established professionals who have not previously worked or studied in India. Senior Scholarly/Professional Development Fellows are formally affiliated with an Indian institution.

    • Awards may be granted for periods of six to nine months.

Senior Performing and Creative Arts Fellowships: Available to accomplished practitioners of the performing arts of India and creative artists who demonstrate that study in India would enhance their skills, develop their capabilities to teach or perform in the U.S., enhance American involvement with India’s artistic traditions or strengthen their links with peers in India.

    • Awards will normally be for periods of up to four months.
    • Proposals for periods of up to nine months can be considered.

NSF International Collaborations-India

NSF and entities in India have signed Implementation Arrangements that streamline the selection and funding process of joint research projects involving researchers in the United States and India. The Implementation Arrangements provide a framework to encourage collaboration between U.S. and Indian research communities and set out the principles by which joint activities might be supported. Through this research agency partnership, researchers in the U.S. may receive funding from NSF and researchers in India may receive funding from Indian agencies, respectively.

View current areas of interest

Ireland

US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme

The US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership is a unique initiative involving funding agencies across three jurisdictions: United States of America, Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland.

The overall goal of the Partnership is to increase the level of collaborative R&D amongst researchers and industry across the three jurisdictions. This collaboration aims to generate valuable discoveries and innovations which are transferable to the marketplace, or will lead to enhancements in health, disease prevention or healthcare.

The current focus of the US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme, as agreed by the Partnership Steering Group(opens in a new tab), is on the following seven thematic areas:

  • Sensors & Sensor Networks
  • Nanoscale Science & Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Energy & Sustainability
  • Health
  • Cybersecurity
  • Agriculture

A US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme application must have:

  • A minimum of one academic applicant from each of the three jurisdictions.
  • Significant participation by researchers in all three jurisdictions must be demonstrated in the application.
  • Researchers should be at mid-stage or senior stage in their career. For specific eligibility criteria please refer to relevant call documentation.

Israel

United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)

The U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) promotes scientific relations between the U.S. and Israel by supporting collaborative research projects in a wide area of basic and applied scientific fields, for peaceful and non-profit purposes. Since its inception, the BSF has awarded over $1 Billion to over 5,500 research projects, many of which have led to important scientific, medical and technological breakthroughs.

BSF Research Grants

The BSF Research Grants program is the main program of the BSF and funds both U.S. and Israeli scientists who wish to collaborate on research projects that address topics in basic science.

Grants are awarded for 2-4 years with a maximum funding of $250,000.

Applications to the program are made jointly by U.S. and Israeli researchers. No prior collaboration is required, but the synergy between the researchers must be evident.

Grant Details:

NSF-BSF Research Grants

Established under an MOU between the BSF and the U.S. National Science Foundation, these grants support U.S.-Israel collaboration in fields supported by NSF divisions, covering a wide range of disciplines.

Grants are awarded for 2-5 years with as maxium funding of $95,000 per year.

Applications to the program must be written jointly by the U.S. and Israeli PIs and must describe the role of the Israeli partner and why his/her role is important.

Grant Details:

Additional NSF-BSF Opportunities

Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants

This Travel Grants Program is open to Ph.D. students doing research that requires facilities or expertise not available in their home country. The program has two calls annually, each supporting 10 awards.

Grants are awarded for $6,000 each with 10 grants awarded per round.

Applications to the program must be submitted through the university from which students will graduate.

Grant Details:

 

Italy

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers a variety of grants to support academic, research, and cultural exchange projects between Italy and foreign countries, including the United States. The goal of these grants is to strengthen Italy's global position in research and culture by fostering collaborations with foreign scholars, researchers, and cultural professionals. These grants are available for U.S. faculty, scholars, and experts invited to work with Italian institutions, often covering expenses like travel or living costs.

Key Features of MAECI Grants:

  • Funding for U.S. Researchers: U.S. faculty or scholars invited to work at Italian universities or cultural institutions may apply. Funding is usually allocated for living expenses, and sometimes for travel costs.
  • Academic and Research Projects: These grants support projects that aim to enhance the collaboration between Italian and foreign institutions in scientific, technological, and cultural fields. Priority may be given to long-term partnerships with significant impact.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must be invited by an Italian institution. Foreign researchers (including U.S. scholars) can apply for funding to cover their stay in Italy for research, teaching, or cultural exchange.
  • Application Process: Applications are typically submitted through Italian Cultural Institutes or Italian Diplomatic Missions in the U.S. These institutions help manage and assess the projects based on their relevance to Italian cultural or scientific priorities.

Grants and Scholarships available for foreign citizens or Italian citizens residing abroad:

NSF-Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) Lead Agency Opportunity in Artificial Intelligence

The Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research have created a partnership to support international collaboration under the NSF-MUR Lead Agency Opportunity in Artificial Intelligence. The goal of this activity is to promote collaborative research in Artificial Intelligence by reducing barriers to conducting research with international collaborators. The NSF-MUR Lead Agency Opportunity allows U.S. and Italian researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single merit review process through NSF as the lead agency. 

List of participating programs

United Kingdom

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) works in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to encourage and support proposals that involve international collaborative teams. UKRI has in place a lead agency opportunity between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and NSF units.

This lead agency opportunity is open to all themes within EPSRC, through the responsive mode standard grant funding route.

The US part of any application must fit within the remit of one of the NSF programmes that are involved, and the UK part of any application must fit within the remit of EPSRC.

List of Specific Participating NSF Programms

Additional UK-US Funding Opportunities

List of potential UK, US, and bilateral UK-US funding opportunities