International Funding Opportunities: Your Guide to Global Research Grants

Research funding isn't limited by borders. In fact, international funding opportunities often offer larger budgets, unique resources, and career-accelerating networking. This guide helps you navigate the global funding landscape.

Why Consider International Funding?

Beyond the obvious financial benefits, international grants offer unique advantages:

Career Development

• Broader network: Connections across multiple countries
• Diverse training: Exposure to different research cultures and approaches
• Enhanced CV: International experience highly valued for faculty positions
• Cultural competency: Increasingly important in collaborative research

Research Benefits

• Access to unique facilities: Particle accelerators, telescopes, biobanks
• Different regulatory environments: Clinical trials, animal research
• Larger budgets: Some European and Asian programs exceed US equivalents
• Interdisciplinary exposure: Different fields prioritized in different regions

Practical Advantages

• Less competition: Smaller applicant pools for some programs
• Different review cycles: Apply to opportunities year-round
• Flexible eligibility: Many programs welcome international applicants
• Tax benefits: Varies by country and fellowship type

Major International Funding Bodies

European Union Programs

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

The world's largest research funding program (€95.5 billion budget):

For Early-Career Researchers:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships
  • €5,000-6,000/month + family allowances
  • 24 months, extendable
  • European Fellowships: Within EU
  • Global Fellowships: EU ↔ Non-EU mobility
  • Success rate: ~14%
  • Deadline: Annual (September)

For Independent Researchers:

• ERC Starting Grants

  • Up to €1.5 million
  • 5 years
  • 2-7 years post-PhD
  • Any nationality if hosted in EU
  • Success rate: ~13%

• ERC Consolidator Grants

  • Up to €2 million
  • 5 years
  • 7-12 years post-PhD
  • Success rate: ~11%

Key advantage: No citizenship requirement for most programs, just need EU host institution.

United Kingdom

Post-Brexit Landscape (2026):

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):

• Future Leaders Fellowships

  • £1-1.5 million over 4-7 years
  • Any career stage
  • Open to international applicants with UK host
  • Success rate: ~8%

• Newton International Fellowships

  • For non-UK researchers to work in UK
  • £24,000/year + £8,000 research costs
  • 2 years
  • Post-PhD, non-UK citizens only

Wellcome Trust:

• One of the world's largest biomedical funders
• Career Development Awards: Various schemes
• International programs: Especially strong in global health
• No nationality restrictions for many schemes

Asia-Pacific

Japan:

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships

• ¥362,000/month (~$33K/year)
• 12-24 months
• All disciplines
• Requires Japanese host scientist
• Success rate: ~30%

RIKEN Special Postdoctoral Researcher Program

• ¥470,000/month + research funds
• 3 years
• Highly prestigious
• Competitive salaries even compared to US

Singapore:

A*STAR Investigatorship

• $S 2-4 million (US $1.5-3M)
• 5 years
• Competitive international recruitment

National Research Foundation Fellowships

• Generous funding for establishing independent research program

China:

Chinese Academy of Sciences Fellowships

• Growing investment in attracting international talent
• Competitive salaries
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities

"Thousand Talents" successor programs

• For senior researchers
• Very generous packages

South Korea:

Brain Korea 21 (BK21)

• Postdoc support program
• Research-intensive universities
• Competitive stipends

Middle East

Israel:

Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship

• $40,000/year + benefits
• For outstanding international scholars
• All disciplines

EMBO Installation Grants (includes Israel)

• Up to €500,000
• For establishing first independent lab

United Arab Emirates:

Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Young Scientists

• Growing research investment
• Competitive packages for scientists in Dubai/Abu Dhabi

Latin America

Brazil:

FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowships

• For researchers coming to São Paulo
• Competitive stipends
• Strong in biosciences, materials, sustainability

Mexico:

CONACYT Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Support for international researchers
• Focus on building Mexican science capacity

Africa

African Academy of Sciences:

DELTAS Africa Initiative

• For Africa-based researchers
• Strong support for health research
• International collaborations encouraged

South African Research Chairs Initiative

• Tier 1: R2.5 million/year for 5 years
• Attracting international talent

Global Collaborative Programs

International Mobility Programs

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP):

Long-Term Fellowships

• $60,000/year + allowances
• 3 years
• Must move countries
• Life sciences only
• Success rate: ~10%

Why it's special:

• Prestigious
• Truly international community
• Annual awardees meeting in different country each year
• Strong alumni network

Fulbright Scholar Program:

• For US citizens to work abroad
• For international scholars to come to US
• Multiple types (research, teaching, combined)
• Strong governmental support
• Cultural exchange component

Collaborative Research Grants

Human Frontier Science Program Research Grants:

• Teams of 2-4 scientists from different countries
• $450,000 total over 3 years
• Pioneering, interdisciplinary research

HFSP-Nakasone Award:

• Additional $10,000 for exceptional proposals addressing global challenges

NSF International Partnerships:

Many NSF programs now require or encourage international collaboration:

• AccelNet: International network-to-network collaborations
• Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE): Discontinued but watch for successor programs

Strategic Approach to International Applications

Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility

Key questions:

1. Citizenship/residency requirements?

   • Some programs: citizenship restrictions
   • Others: open to anyone with eligible host
   • EU programs: generally citizenship-blind

2. Career stage?

   • Early-career only
   • Mid-career
   • Senior only
   • Any stage

3. Mobility requirements?

   • Must move countries
   • Must return home after
   • Can stay in current country

4. Field restrictions?

   • Life sciences only (e.g., HFSP)
   • All disciplines (e.g., MSCA)
   • Specific thematic priorities

Step 2: Identify Host Institutions

For programs requiring international move:

Research the landscape:

• Top institutions in your field by country
• Who's doing the most exciting work
• Which labs have hosted international fellows before
• Publication track records

Make contact:

• Reach out 6-12 months before deadline
• Express specific interest in their work
• Briefly describe your background
• Ask about hosting possibility

Good email template:

Subject: Potential MSCA Fellowship Collaboration on [Research Topic]

Dear Prof. [Name],

I am a postdoctoral researcher at [Institution] studying [brief description]. I'm very impressed by your recent work on [specific paper/project].

I am planning to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to work on [brief project idea that connects to their work]. The deadline is September 2026.

Would you be interested in discussing a potential collaboration as my host supervisor? I have strong preliminary data [brief mention] and believe this would align well with your lab's expertise in [their specialty].

I've attached my CV for your reference. I'm happy to discuss via email or video call at your convenience.

Best regards, [Name]

Step 3: Understand Local Context

Before committing to a country:

Cost of living:

• €60K/year in Switzerland ≠ €60K/year in Portugal
• Use tools like Numbeo or Expatistan
• Factor in family situation

Visa and immigration:

• Processing time (some countries: months)
• Spouse work authorization
• Pathway to long-term residence
• Brexit implications for UK

Language requirements:

• Daily life (do you need local language?)
• Work environment (English-speaking lab?)
• Administrative tasks
• Children's schooling

Research environment:

• Funding climate after fellowship ends
• Faculty hiring prospects
• Collaboration opportunities

Step 4: Tailor Your Application

International applications often emphasize:

1. Two-way transfer of knowledge

   • What you bring to host lab
   • What you'll learn
   • How both benefit

2. International network building

   • Future collaborations
   • Connecting research communities

3. Return potential

   • How will you maintain connections
   • Plans for continued collaboration

4. Cultural/scientific diversity

   • New perspectives you bring
   • Addressing gaps in host country research

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Different Application Formats

European grants:

• Often more emphasis on impact and societal relevance
• Longer proposals than US equivalents
• Detailed work packages and timelines
• Public engagement requirements

Asian grants:

• May require host institution commitment first
• Strong emphasis on track record
• Letters of recommendation structure differently

Solution: Find successful examples from your target program and model your structure on them.

Challenge 2: Reference Letter Logistics

Time zone coordination:

• Your referees in US, deadline based on European time
• Plan for 12-hour differences

Format differences:

• Some countries use different letter styles
• Length expectations vary

Solution: Give referees extra time (8 weeks instead of 6) and provide clear formatting guidelines.

Challenge 3: Credential Recognition

PhDs from some countries:

• May need formal recognition/equivalency
• Can add months to timeline

Publications:

• Impact factors weighted differently by region
• Some countries value local-language publications more

Solution: Contact program administrator early to clarify any recognition issues.

Challenge 4: Family Considerations

Moving internationally with family:

• School systems vary dramatically
• Healthcare access
• Spouse employment
• Social support networks

Solution: Many programs offer family allowances. Research expat communities in target city. Visit if possible before committing.

Success Stories

Dr. Yuki Tanaka: MSCA Fellowship

Path: Japan (PhD) → Netherlands (MSCA) → Germany (ERC Starting Grant) → Sweden (Professor)

Strategy:

• Used MSCA to establish European network
• Published prolifically during fellowship
• ERC grant provided independence
• Now runs lab of 12 people

Key insight: "The MSCA wasn't just funding—it was a launchpad for my European career."

Dr. Sarah O'Connor: HFSP to UK

Path: US (postdoc) → UK (HFSP) → UK (Group Leader at John Innes Centre)

Strategy:

• HFSP allowed move to top plant science institute
• Developed technique that became foundational
• Secured BBSRC funding after HFSP
• Now internationally recognized leader

Key insight: "Going international expanded my thinking. The cross-pollination of ideas was invaluable."

Regional Comparison: Where Should You Apply?

Europe:

• Pros: Large budgets, good work-life balance, excellent healthcare
• Cons: Variable faculty hiring, some countries have age limits on certain programs
• Best for: Building international network, accessing unique facilities

Asia:

• Pros: Rapidly growing research investment, competitive salaries, modern facilities
• Cons: Language barriers (outside Singapore, HK), cultural adjustment
• Best for: Cutting-edge facilities, emerging fields like AI and materials

Latin America:

• Pros: Lower cost of living stretches budgets, unique biodiversity access
• Cons: Funding instability in some countries, visa complexity
• Best for: Field-based research, tropical biology, astronomy

Middle East:

• Pros: Tax-free salaries (some countries), state-of-the-art new facilities
• Cons: Cultural adjustment, political stability concerns (some regions)
• Best for: High earning potential, new research institutes

Application Timeline for International Grants

18-24 months before:

• Identify target countries/programs
• Start building international connections
• Attend international conferences

12-15 months before:

• Secure host institution commitment
• Get agreement in writing
• Understand local requirements

9-12 months before:

• Draft research proposal
• Understand evaluation criteria
• Get feedback from international colleagues

6-8 months before:

• Finalize proposal
• Arrange reference letters
• Handle administrative requirements
• Prepare budget (including cost of living research)

3-4 months before:

• Final revisions
• Get host institution approvals
• Verify all documentation

Submission:

• Submit early (time zones!)
• Confirm receipt
• Follow up on any questions

Resources

Finding Opportunities:

• Be-Funded International Filter: Search by country and mobility requirements
• EURAXESS: European researcher mobility portal
• Research Professional: International funding database
• Nature Jobs: International postdoc listings

Understanding Programs:

• MSCA Guide: EC's official handbook
• HFSP Application Guide: Detailed tips from organization
• Program officer consultation: Most programs offer pre-submission advice

Community:

• MSCA Fellows Network: Connect with current/former awardees
• Expat forums: Country-specific advice
• Your professional society's international section

Conclusion

International funding opens doors to:

• Unique research opportunities
• Global networks
• Career acceleration
• Cultural experiences

Yes, it's more complex than staying in your home country. But the rewards—professional and personal—can be transformative.

Your next steps:

1. Explore Be-Funded's international opportunities filter
2. Identify 3-5 target programs
3. Research potential host institutions
4. Reach out to potential mentors
5. Start your application timeline

The world of research funding is truly global. Are you ready to expand your horizons?

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Search over 2,000 international funding opportunities on Be-Funded. Filter by country, career stage, and field to find your perfect match.

Planning an international move? Download our International Application Checklist from the Resources page.