Internal and External Bursaries and Awards

Attention McMaster Researchers and Professional Librarians engaged in international initiatives related to their role at McMaster: The IIMF is intended to provide small, initial investments for first-time international research engagements, typically led by individual faculty members. This seed funding is designed to lower the threshold for starting international research activities, with the goal of fostering future joint projects and partnerships. Individual awards are generally capped at C $5,000, and this year, we anticipate offering up to 20 grants in this round.

• The application process is simple and straightforward:
  • A one-page project description
  • A one-page outline of the intended use of funds
  • Approval signature from your office
  • The applicant’s CV (SSHRC CV or NSERC Form 100 or equivalent)

Answers to frequently asked questions are available here: IIMF FAQs and Application Form is available here.

Proposals from each Faculty must be consolidated in a MacDrive folder, with a separate folder for each applicant labeled by their name. Once collated, please submit the link to the MacDrive for your faculty to [email protected] by February 21st. If consolidating proposals within MacDrive is not feasible, proposals may alternatively be sent directly to [email protected]

OIA welcomes any matching or supplementary funding contributions for IIMF awardees from your Faculty.

For more information or to submit your application, contact [email protected].

Applications open: 12 August 2025

Applications close: 22 September 2025

The University of Glasgow is committed to fostering global partnerships, recognizing their vital role in addressing complex global challenges and improving the lives of the communities we serve locally, nationally and internationally. As part of this commitment, we are delighted to provide seed funding through Glasgow’s Global Partnership Fund (formerly IPDF) to facilitate collaborative research with their priority international partners.

Application guidelines:

Researchers affiliated with the University of Glasgow are encouraged to submit joint seed funding applications in collaboration with international academic partners. Applications must be developed and submitted by University of Glasgow staff. For researchers who have pre-existing connections at the University of Glasgow, direct engagement to explore the possibility of submitting a joint funding application are encouraged. For those seeking new collaborative opportunities, the University provides a Find an Expert platform, enabling prospective partners to identify and connect with academic experts by subject area to discuss potential research initiatives.

Comprehensive guidance and application materials are available on Global Partnership Fund page. For additional information please contact:  [email protected]

Explore seed-funding opportunities, available throughout the year, across the Universitas 21 network to support joint research, academic exchange, and strategic collaboration. This listing brings together funding calls from U21 member institutions, making it easier for researchers and professional staff to find support for collaborative projects.

Applications close: 12 September 2025

Notification of results: 8-13 October 2025

Note: Scholarships will be awarded between November and December 8, 2025

Canadian students and researchers are invited to apply for the 2025 Merit Scholarships, offered by the Government of Mexico through the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID). The program promotes international collaboration and the development of human capital.

SCHOLARSHIP MODALITIES:

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS:

AMEXCID will provide selected individuals with the following benefits:

1. For Master’s, Undergraduate, and Master’s Mobility: 4 times the monthly value of the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA), currently equivalent to MXN $13,757.84 (subject to legal changes). Paid monthly in arrears.
2. For Doctoral and Postdoctoral Research Stays: 5 times the monthly UMA value, currently MXN $17,197.30 (subject to legal changes). Paid monthly in arrears.
3. As per the program of each Mexican Educational Institution (Annex 1), subject to the final decision of the institution, as stated in the acceptance letter issued to each applicant.
4. Medical Insurance: Provided through the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), starting from the seventh month of the scholarship and lasting for the duration of the awarded period (Annex 2).
5. Exemption from the cost of issuing a Mexican
6. International Air Transportation: Provided upon satisfactory completion of the scholarship, in economy class, based on the most convenient flight route determined by AMEXCID (Annex 3).
7. National Transportation: If studies are conducted outside Mexico City, transportation from Mexico City to the host institution’s city and back to Mexico City upon successful completion of the scholarship. Applies to either national air or bus travel. (Annex)
8. AMEXCID will provide airline tickets; individual purchases are not
9. Any changes to AMEXCID-provided tickets after issuance will be at the recipient’s
10. For national bus travel, recipients must cover the cost and will be
11. Administration: The Academic Exchange Directorate of AMEXCID will manage and notify selected candidates of benefits before formalizing the scholarship.

More information including how to apply is available here.

Applications open: 7 August 2025

Applications close: 2 September 2025

Through this initiative, National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) funds visits to Uruguay for experts residing abroad to carry out training activities within the framework of national graduate programs (Master’s or PhD), or technical-professional training.

This call aims to strengthen the capacities of Uruguay’s qualified human resources through interaction with experts with proven experience living abroad to contribute to the generation of new knowledge. Funding will be provided for the visit of experts from abroad to carry out different training/capacity-building activities.

Mode 1:

Training activities within a national postgraduate program (master’s or doctorate) in the following areas of interest:

• Advanced Digital Technologies
• Biotechnology
• Green Technologies
• Education Sciences, and
• Climate Change.

Mode 2:

Technical and professional training activities in the following areas of interest:

• Advanced Digital Technologies
• Biotechnology
• Green Technologies
• Education Sciences
• Climate Change
• Agreement with the Training and Capacity-building Program for Public Health Care Providers (FoRHSa).

REQUIREMENTS:

To apply for funding, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• ANII will finance the visit of experts based abroad whose knowledge and skills are not available in the country or who are considered leaders in the field to strengthen national capacities in those areas.
• The plan of activities to be carried out should include a training/capacity-building activity lasting between 4 and 30 days.
• The training/capacity-building activity should be carried out within 8 months following the date of the notification of ANII’s Board’s resolution.
• The training/capacity-building activity may include a final assessment and award of a certificate of approval or attendance, as appropriate.
• The resume of the guest foreign experts and a letter of commitment from them to participate in the activity must be enclosed in the plan.
• The proposed institution and the participants must submit the corresponding endorsement letters.
• Experts with regular employment ties to the applicant institution will not be funded.
• Not to have been disqualified by resolution of the Board of Directors for non-compliance with Agency programs.
• Each proposal must appoint a person responsible for executing the plan and who has a contractual relationship with the applicant institution. This person will liaise between the experts and ANII. The person executing the proposal must submit a resumé in CVUy format (https://cvuy.anii.org.uy/).

FUNDING:

The following items may be funded for experts from abroad:

• Economy class ticket (round trip).
  Travel expenses (lodging, meals, and transfers) based on the number of nights spent in the country. The maximum daily amount will be UYU 6,100.
• The maximum amount to be granted is UYU 320,000 per activity.
• Expenses incurred before the approval of the proposal by ANII’s Board of Directors will not be accepted.

Access to additional information and application form available in English and Spanish.

Applications open: 14 August 2025

Applications close: 19 September 2025

Academics Without Borders (AWB) is a Canadian nonprofit organization. Its mission is to help low and middle-income countries improve their universities and colleges so that they can train their own experts and conduct research to promote their countries’ development.

Karatina University, located in Karatina, Kenya, began in 2007 as the Mount Kenya campus of Moi University. In 2010 it became Karatina University College, a constituent college of Moi University. In 2013, it was granted a charter as an independent institution.

Following an AWB project to assist the leadership of the Directorate of Research at Karatina University to set priorities to build capacity for faculty members that are early career researchers, the need for further training in data analysis, data management, and machine learning was identified as a high priority.

In partnership with AWB, Karatina University is seeking a volunteer to work with the faculty team to develop and deliver a training workshop to enhance the knowledge and skills of faculty in data analysis, data management, and machine learning. Working with the Director of Research and targeted faculty members, the volunteer will assist to develop a training workshop.

Number of Volunteers: 1

Location: Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya. This project will be conducted both online and on-site. After an initial phase of online collaboration, an on-site working visit will be planned.

Language: English

Start Date and Duration: The volunteer opportunity will initially involve working online with the Directorate of Research as described above. Ideally, the volunteer will be able to begin collaboration remotely as soon as appointed, and the onsite visit will be planned for the 4th quarter of 2025 or the 1st quarter of 2026.

Requirements: This opportunity is open for faculty members (working or retired) with a PhD and a significant publication history in data analysis, data management, and machine learning. The selected candidate will have strong scholarly writing abilities and experience securing grants. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills and be excited about the role of higher education in global development. Those with experience working in academic settings in low and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.

Applications:

Please send to Corrie Young, [email protected]:

• Your CV, including your contact information
• A statement of your motivation in seeking the position
• Two (2) letters of reference – please either include the letters of reference with your application package or have them sent separately to Corrie Young, Associate Executive Director – Projects & Network, [email protected], by the application deadline.

Applications Open: 1 November 2024

Applications Close:  1 September 2025

ACU Commonwealth Climate Resilience Challenge Grants are professional and academic staff at ACU member universities to support collaborative work focused on the priority
themes of the ACU Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network (CCRN).

What does the grant include? 

• Three grants of up to GBP 3,500 each   

How to apply

1. Be a staff member at an ACU member university.  
2. Submit an application through the online application form. 
3. If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here. 
4. If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.
5. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other ACU member institutions to promote further Commonwealth partnerships.  
6. Applications led by ACU members, but are in partnership with institutions outside of our network will also be considered. 
7. Grant applications that allow matching or additional funds from the applicant’s institution will be looked upon favourably. 

The grants can be used for a diverse range of projects, workshops and events in one of the following project focus areas:

1. Improving learning, teaching, and training for climate change adaptation – e.g. virtual exchange or collaboration, teaching or professional practice collaboration and sharing and co-development of learning materials.
2.  Increasing the research capacity of CCRN members in climate change adaptation – e.g. virtual fellowships or collaboration, comparative analyses, research management and uptake capacity building, understanding and documenting indigenous knowledge and resilience practices.
3. Improving institutional resilience policies and practice adopted by Commonwealth universities – e.g. developing tools, training and approaches to support contingency and continuity of operations planning at higher education institutions 

To date, the grants have funded a diverse range of climate action projects in universities across the Commonwealth – from sea-temperature monitoring in the coral reefs of Fiji, to integrating indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation with academia in New Zealand. 

More information and how to apply available here

Japanese government recently launched new initiative named J-RISE (Japan Research & Innovation for Scientific Excellence). This is an initiative aimed at making Japan the most attractive country in the world for researchers, Ministries and agencies are working together to implement related measures.

All available research funding opportunities under J-RISE can be found here.  In addition, a slide deck showing how to find the best research institute for your research journey in Japan is available here.

Applications open: Monday, August 25, 2025 

Application close: Monday, September 29, 2025 

Note: Travel concludes on Friday, May 29, 2026

Canada is now formally associated with Horizon Europe Pillar II, opening new doors for researchers and innovators to lead and participate in world-class R&D consortia. To seize this opportunity, Mitacs is launching the Horizon Europe International Mobility Award (IMA) – a short-term strategic initiative to support Canadian faculty and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in joining or building Horizon Europe consortia.

Applications must be submitted by one faculty member, with the option to include either one additional faculty member or one SME Partner Organization. Applications must not include more than two travelers. There are no restrictions on academic disciplines or industry sectors however, fields must align with Horizon Europe calls for proposals and/or corresponding European research consortia. Awards will be valued at up to CAD $5,000 per traveler (maximum $10,000 per award).  

Additional information is available here.  For any questions connect with our Mitacs Advisor, Ryan Caldwell  or Pilots@mitacs.ca.

Applications open: 19 November 2025

Applications close: 14 January 2026

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer a unique opportunity to study a two-year Master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

Through cultural exchange and academic collaboration, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars help bring about positive change and find solutions to the shared challenges we face – both in their home countries and those that host them. As an active part of the Commonwealth network, scholars will help shape its future.

Each year there are two opportunities to apply for QECS – cycle 1 opens in November/December and cycle 2 opens in March/April. You only need to submit one application, but you are welcome to apply more than once if there is another country you are interested in studying in.

What does the scholarship cover?

Applications open: 2 September 2025

Applications close: 4 November 2025, 15:00 UTC

Early Career Conference Grants help to ensure that emerging researchers – and the universities that employ them – can benefit from the valuable opportunity of attending and taking part in in-person conferences in Commonwealth countries outside of their country of work.

For emerging academics, taking part in conferences can have a profound impact on their teaching and research. These events are a chance to share research, learn about the latest developments in an area of work, and build valuable professional networks.

Researchers find themselves better informed and better connected with new knowledge that can be shared and multiplied among colleagues and students.

All awardees will be required to complete a report on completion of their award. 

What does the grant include?

​Grants are a maximum of GBP 2,000 which can be used to cover:

• Conference registration fee
• Flights
• Accommodation
• Visa costs
• Travel and health insurance

How to apply

Applicants must: 

• Be an early career researcher/academic at an ACU member university.
• Be within 7 years of the start of their academic (research/teaching) career, with the exception of those who have had career breaks. A career break is a period of time out from employment for personal or professional reasons, including to care for children.
• Identify a conference that they would like to attend in a Commonwealth country taking place between February 2026 to January 2027.
  • Applicants need to be either chairing a session, presenting a paper, or presenting a poster as part of their conference attendance to be considered for a grant.
• Review the application guidance and FAQs.
• Submit an application through the online application form.

• • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form through this platform when applications open.
  • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form when applications open.

Applicants cannot: 

• Have previously travelled for work purposes (including conferences) outside of their region of employment since the start of their academic career.
• Be a previous recipient of an ACU Early Career Conference Grant (previously known as Early Career Academic Grants).

Applications Open: 2 September 2025

Applications Close: 4 November 2025, 15:00 UTC

The Human Resources in Higher Education (HR in HE) Community Grants support university human resource practitioners in the ever-changing world of work by encouraging collaboration and promoting the sharing of good practice.

The grants are available to help meet the costs of organising projects that promote the essential work of HR and the aims of the HR in HE Community.

The grants can be used to support a diverse range of virtual or in-person projects, workshops, or events, such as:

• Attending HR-related conferences and sharing learnings
• Creating and delivering relevant training and development for HR practitioners
• Co-creating approaches/policies on HR issues, such as workforce planning, inclusion, mental health, international recruitment
• Co-creating HR processes
• Delivering webinars on pressing issues for HR practitioners
• Benchmarking of good HR practice across the Commonwealth
• Research projects

All awardees will be required to complete a report on completion of their award.

What does the grant include?

• A total budget of GBP 10,000 is available for this grant scheme. This can be allocated as a number of smaller or larger grants. Please request the amount needed for your initiative/activity.

How to apply?

• Be a staff member at an ACU member university working in the area of human resources.
• Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other ACU member universities to promote further Commonwealth partnerships, but this is not essential.
• Institutions who might be willing to match or provide additional funds will be looked upon favourably, but this is not essential.
• Review the application guidance and FAQs.
• Submit an application through the online application form.
  • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form through this platform when applications open.
  • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.

Applications Open: 4 February 2026

Applications Close: 8 April 2026 3PM UTC

Hosted by the ACU Supporting Research Community, the Supporting Research Community Training Grants fund staff at ACU member universities to organise and deliver training for their early and/or mid-career researchers, including doctoral candidates.

Formerly known as the Early Career Research Training Grants, the grants fund training that equips researchers with essential skills to enable them to succeed in their careers, whether they remain in academia, or utilise their skills in other professional fields. Universities can use their internal criteria of what defines an early career researcher (ECR), but this must include Doctoral candidates, and the training must be made available to ECRs from multiple disciplines.

Skills which are in scope of the training include:

Presentation skills

• Networking
• Time management
• Public engagement and communicating with non-academic audiences
• Media training
• Social media
• Relationship/stakeholder management
• Grant writing
• Research data management
• Career training, including doctoral careers outside higher education

Please note that this grant scheme cannot fund existing training courses.

What does the grant include?

• Five grants of up to GBP 2,000

How to apply

• Be a staff member of a research office or any staff member who leads on providing training for early and mid-career researchers at an ACU member university.
• Review the application guidance and FAQs.
• Submit an application through the online application form.

• • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form through this platform when applications open. 
  • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form

Priority will be given to those member universities that have not previously been awarded an Early Career Researcher Training Grant.

Applications Open: 5 March 2026

Applications Close: 8 May 2026 3PM UTC

ACU Gender Grants are awarded annually to member universities to support initiatives that will boost gender equity and equality on campus. 

The grants can be used for a diverse range of projects, workshops, and events in areas such as:

• Supporting women in leadership
• Raising awareness of sexual harassment and developing anti-sexual harassment initiatives
• Supporting women in science and research
• Creating effective institutional policies
• Mainstreaming gender equity into the curriculum
• To help meet the costs of organising projects that promote gender equity and equality.

The ACU is working in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation to provide up to three of the five Gender Grants focused on creating effective anti-sexual harassment policies and strategies, drawing on the Foundation’s expertise in anti-sexual harassment initiatives. These grants are open to staff members of ACU member universities in Africa and Asia and include online training and follow-up online support from the Martha Farrell Foundation. 

What does the grant include?

• Five grants of up to GBP 2,000

How to apply?

• Be a staff member at an ACU member university.
• Review the FAQs/Application Guidance.
• Submit an application through the online application form.
  • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here, this form will be live once applications are open.
  • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form
• To help meet the costs of organising projects that promote gender equity and equality.

Applications Open: 28 April 2026

Applications Close: 25 June 2026 3PM UTC

ACU Fellowships facilitate collaboration at a distance and the creation of valuable new partnerships between ACU member universities across the Commonwealth. These partnerships are developed through research visits for a period of 1 to 6 months to an ACU member university in a different country.

Which Fellowship opportunities are available?

Accountancy Fellowship – Supported by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 

1 award available of up to 2,500 GBP 

The Accountancy Fellowship aims to strengthen financial sustainability in higher education by fostering collaboration among finance and funding experts across the Commonwealth. The fellowship aligns with the ACU’s Higher Education Taskforce working group on Finance and Funding, contributing to discussions on financial resilience, strengthening links between academics and policymakers to maximise the impact of research projects, supporting universities in building long-term financial sustainability in addition to sharing best practices for funding higher education institutions.

This fellowship will fund a project in one of the following areas:

• Higher education finance
• Research to policy engagement
• Sustainable and innovative funding models

Hong Kong Inbound and Outbound Fellowships – Supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club 

2 awards available of up to 2,500 GBP per award 

There are two fellowships available; one for inbound travel to Hong Kong and one for outbound travel from Hong Kong. Hong Kong Inbound and Outbound Fellowships enable collaboration and mobility between Hong Kong institutions and institutions around the Commonwealth.

All awardees will be required to complete a report on completion of their award. 

How to apply?

• Be an academic or professional services staff at an ACU member university.
• Applicants must first already have or identify and approach a collaborator at an ACU member university in a country other than the one where the applicant is employed.
• Review the Application Guidance and grant FAQs.
• Submit an application through the online application form:
  1. • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here (link available when applications are open).
     • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.