Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme
About
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme is a newly established, dual-stream funding initiative launched by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK) together with the Volkswagen Foundation and developed in strategic partnership with the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS). The programme provides two structured pathways for academic collaboration across the North Sea.
The RSE is Scotland’s National Academy, committed to the advancement of knowledge and learning through independent research, expert policy guidance, and strategic funding initiatives that foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
The MWK, as the governmental authority overseeing higher education, scientific research, and cultural policy in Lower Saxony, plays a pivotal role in shaping academic landscape, facilitating research funding, and promoting cultural engagement at regional and international levels.
The Volkswagen Foundation is Germany’s largest private research funder, supporting pioneering projects across disciplines. Through awarding strategic funding, it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, advances scientific foundations, and promotes dialogue between academia and society.
Programme Overview and Key Facts
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme is designed to support joint research initiatives between scholars from Lower Saxony and Scotland, enabling long-term academic cooperation and laying the foundation for successful third-party funding bids, particularly Horizon Europe. The programme comprises two complementary funding streams, operating concurrently yet differing in scope and objectives:
Stream I – Development Track
Provides initial funding to develop and anchor collaborative relationships in the academic ecosystem and science communities of Lower Saxony and Scotland through e.g. workshops, events, networking etc.
It is administered by the RSE. Further details on the Development Track and Open Call can be found here.
Eligibility
Researchers from Scottish higher education institutions (HEI), further education institutions (FEI), research institutions (RI) and cultural institutions (CI).
Awarded PI
Scottish PI.
Funds may be distributed adequately among the collaborating PIs.
Award per Project
Up to £8,000.00.
Funding Duration
12 months.
Application Submission System
Selection Criteria
- Quality and importance of the research proposed.
- Feasibility, output and impact of the outlined project.
- Track record of each applicant.
- Value derived from expenditure and well-justified benefit to the proposed collaboration.
Topics
Projects from all disciplines are welcome.
Stream II – Excellence Track
Offers targeted funding to further develop and enhance research projects between Lower Saxony and Scotland embedded in an existing collaboration with the objective to apply for prestigious third-party funding, particularly Horizon Europe.
It is administered by the Volkswagen Foundation. Further details on the Excellence Track and Open Call can be found here.
Eligibility
Researchers from higher education institutions (HEI) in Lower Saxony or research institutions (RI) financed by the State of Lower Saxony.
Awarded PI
Lower Saxonian PI.
Funds may be distributed adequately among the collaborating PIs.
Award per Project
Up to €100,000.00.
Funding Duration
2 years.
Application Submission System
Selection Criteria
- Overall quality of the project.
- Feasibility and soundness of the collaboration plan.
- Commitment and sustainability of the partnership.
Topics
Projects from all disciplines are welcome.
Programme Timelines
Currently: Open Call
Published on 4 September 2025. Please find more information and the Open Calls here:
Royal Society of Edinburgh | Volkswagen Stiftung (TBA in 2026)
We invite all scientists and researchers from Lower Saxony and Scotland who are interested in initiating new collaborations or strengthening existing alliances to join our online information sessions on Tuesday, 16 September 2025 and Wednesday, 08 October 2025. Further details can be found below.
Submission Deadline for Project Proposals
Stream I:
22 October 2025
Stream II:
TBA in 2026
ECAS, RSE & Volkswagen Foundation Information Sessions during the Application Phase
Tuesday, 16 September 2025, at 2 pm BST / 3 pm CEST
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, at 10 am BST/ 11 am CEST
Please register via research_innovation@ecas-academia.org mentioning your full name, your institution, your research interests and the session you wish to attend.
For more information click here.
Earliest Possible Start of the Research
Stream I:
Winter 2025
Stream II:
TBA in October 2025
Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2025
27 + 28 November 2025 @ RSE
ECAS Support and Engagement
ECAS serves as a key facilitator throughout the application phases of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme. To assist prospective beneficiaries, ECAS – as community and information hub for scientists and HEI in Lower Saxony and Scotland – organises and hosts information sessions during each application period, providing an opportunity to engage directly with representatives from the RSE and the Volkswagen Foundation. These sessions offer invaluable guidance on the nuances of each funding stream and the proposal submission process.
When needed ECAS may additionally offer support to researchers who are looking for a partner in the other region due to its extensive experience in Academic Matching through its own format, the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme.
Furthermore, ECAS arranges awarded projects with a dedicated platform to present their research as well as lessons learned in the context of cross-regional exchange at the annual Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum – a two-day networking and academic exchange event held at alternating HEI in Lower Saxony and Scotland.
The Joint Forum takes place on 27 and 28 November 2025 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). Further details will be published soon on the event website.
For general queries please contact us via research_innovation@ecas-academia.org.
“The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme is a fitting testament to the necessity of investing time into the building of partnerships that lead to long-lasting relationships of trust and mutual interest, which in turn drives the creation of excellent research. In the past five years ECAS has supported the development of this strong alliance between the regions of Lower Saxony and Scotland, their higher education institutions, and key actors such as the Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture, the Volkswagen Foundation and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. We look forward to the roll out of the new funding programme as it fosters and supports new opportunities for collaborative, cutting-edge research and we will continue our task of building a bridge across the North Sea to foster sustainable academic relations, between Lower Saxonian and Scottish science communities and research partners.”
