The ESRC has recently released a call for a new scheme aimed at developing long term research links between social science researchers in the UK and overseas:

ESRC International Partnership and Networking Scheme

International Partnership and Networking Scheme Awards are intended to provide flexible support for a programme of activity with the objective of establishing sustainable collaborations, leading to the development of joint research proposals. Activities which might constitute an IPNS programme of activity might include (but not limited to): visiting fellowships, scholar exchanges, workshops and summer schools. While some modest research costs can be requested (ie for data exploration) it is not intended that IPNS awards will be used to fund collaborative research. Applicants seeking support for collaborative research funding can submit applications to standard ESRC research calls by making use of our International Co-Investigator Policy or via one of our bilateral or multilateral agreements. Such applications may be one of the outcomes of an IPNS.

Applications must be submitted by a UK Research Organisation eligible for Research Council Funding. This year the ESRC expects to make approximately 15-20 awards of up to £25,000 (100 per cent fEC) each for a period of between two and four years. Applicants are encouraged to seek both institutional and additional funding from the partnering country.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 16.00 on 12 October 2011. Successful grants will be announced in February 2012 to start on or after 1 April 2012.

The emphasis on the ESRC’s strategic priorities and themes cannot be overstated here. The ESRC recognises that many of these themes cannot be addressed from a UK perspective alone, and that there are benefits inherent in an international perspective. The focus is on enabling the best UK researchers in these areas to link with partners overseas and to form long-term collaborations.

Any applications to this scheme must directly address one or more of these priorities – this is the key assessment criteria – and show how the future joint research that this partnership would give rise to will benefit the UK.  Please contact us if you’d like any further advice on an application to this scheme.