The University of Manchester and The University of Osaka  2025 Seed-Corn Fund 

The University of Manchester and The University of Osaka are pleased to announce the 2025 seed-corn fund to support collaborative research projects and to build on the existing partnerships between the two institutions. The aim of the fund is to establish new collaborations, facilitate work on proof-of concept ideas, and in the longer term to build international teams who are well positioned to apply for external research funding. such as the International Science Partnerships Fund (for which Japan is a priority partner country).

The call is launched in the context of an institutional partnership agreement signed between our two universities in December 2023 along with extensive civic engagement between the respective cites including reciprocal mayoral delegation visits over recent years. The 2025 World EXPO will be hosted by Osaka this year and proposals that align with the EXPO theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” are particularly encouraged.

Full details of the call can be found in the guidance document.

Applications can be be submitted via the online form

A preview of the application form can be viewed online

The timeline for the call is as follows:

Enquiries relating to this call should be directed to Alex Gaskill, International Research and Partnerships Development Manager – alexander.gaskill@manchester.ac.uk

Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto (MMT) Alliance Seed Fund

The MMT Research Fund was the first major initiative of our new trilateral alliance and is open to applications from all research areas.

In recognition of strong bilateral partnerships between the universities of Manchester, Melbourne and Toronto, the three institutions formed a trilateral alliance in 2021.  

The alliance aims to facilitate further collaboration between the three partners, drawing on joint expertise and resources. 

For the external page MMT Alliance, including previous awardees of the funds, please see this page.

About the fund

The overall aim of the MMT Research Fund is to initiate or develop new research partnerships. Funds will be awarded to projects which encourage the building of networks of researchers, have clearly defined plans for future funding and that will lead to long-term research collaborations.

The fund is open to applications from all research areas and up to 15 proposals will be selected for funding.

Key dates

 Application information

• Call document – guidelines and eligibility information
• Preview of application form
• Application form (available from Wednesday 26 March)

For more information contact:

University of Manchester

Helen Lusty, International Relations
Email: international.partnerships@manchester.ac.uk

Daiwa Foundation Awards

Awards of £9,000-£18,000 are available for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together in the context of an institutional relationship.

In order to fund as many applications as we possibly can, given our limited budget, we typically award an average of £9,000 to successful Award applications. Our funding rarely covers an application’s budget in full, but is meant to be a “contribution” to the proposed project.

• £9,000-£18,000 Organisational collaborative project, all fields
• Deadlines: twice a year, 30 September (notification of results to be sent by 30 November) and 31 March every year, notification of results to be sent by 31 May 

Further details

Daiwa Foundation Small Grants

• £3m,000-£4,000 all fields
• Application from UK researchers to UK office or  Japanese researchers to Japan office
• Deadlines: twice a year, 30 September and 31 March every year, notification of results to be sent by 31 May 

Further details

Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Butterfield awards: £10,000 per year up to three years

Deadline: 15 December every year to start the project in the middle of March

Travel grants: £2,000 to £2,500 for more than two weeks

Deadline: 31st March, 15th September and 15th December for consideration by our Trustees in May, November and March respectively.

The Sakura Science Exchange Program 

The Sakura Science Exchange Program (SSEP, sponsored by JST -Japan Science and Technology Agency) that offers students/staff access to short-term overseas activities during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. This also extends to post-docs and junior faculties. 

Course A: Science and Technology Experience Course
Course B: Collaborative Research Activities Course
Course C: Science and Technology Training Course

This Japanese government initiative would cover travel expenses, allowing Manchester students to participate without financial burden. 

The SSEP operates with multiple application deadlines throughout the year. You can find application details here

Future calls to look out for:

The UoM FBMH hope to announce potential seed funds with these institutions later this year:

• Tel Aviv University
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University
• Heidelberg University

Horizon Europe

There are currently 469 calls open for submission. 

BBSRC International Travel Award Scheme (ITAS)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and FAPESP have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support collaborative applications. It provides for a lead agency agreement whereby participant UKRI research councils receive and assess joint applications from eligible UK and Brazil-based researchers from the state of São Paulo on behalf of both organisations.

Further Details

Closing date:  Open - no closing date 

MRC Pre-announcement: Japan research collaboration in neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia

Closing date: TBC

Apply for funding to work with researchers in Japan in the fields of neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. MRC will provide matched funding with the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Further Details