Announcement of Open Calls
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme officially launches today, reinforcing the commitment to long-term academic collaboration between Lower Saxony and Scotland. This landmark initiative, supported by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), the Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) together with the Volkswagen Foundation and in partnership with the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS) is aimed at fostering cross-border research and innovation through the provision of structured funding opportunities advancing joint projects across disciplines.
Funding Streams and Eligibility
The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme is organised into two streams, designed to support both emerging and established collaborations. The Development Track (Stream I) provides initial funding to researchers who aim to establish new partnerships and lay the groundwork for future projects. Meanwhile, the Excellence Track (Stream II) is designed for existing collaborations, providing substantial funding to further develop projects and prepare them for larger third-party funding applications, particularly under Horizon Europe, other prestigious calls are welcome too.
Both tracks cater to different aspects of research collaboration, ensuring that a wide array of projects can be supported, from early-stage development to more mature, excellence-focused initiatives. They are open to researchers from all academic disciplines, ensuring broad participation and fostering interdisciplinary approaches.
Stream I – Development Track
Stream I is overseen by the RSE and offers grants of up to £ 8,000 per project. It is designed to facilitate the initiation of new research partnerships through activities such as workshops, networking visits, and joint academic events etc. The funding is available to researchers from Scottish higher education institutions (HEI), research institutions, and cultural institutions in collaboration with a Lower Saxonian partner. Resources are to be allocated fairly among the participating institutions. The maximum project duration is 12 months.
Stream II – Excellence Track
Stream II is coordinated by the Volkswagen Foundation under the zukunft.niedersachsen programme. It allocates up to € 100,000 per project to expand and enhance existing research collaborations. The primary objective is to enable these partnerships to attract substantial third-party funding, with a particular focus on applications to Horizon Europe and other prestigious funding schemes. This track is available to researchers associated with Lower Saxonian HEI and publicly funded research institutions together with a Scottish partner. Funds may be attributed adequately among the principal investigators. The funding period extends up to two years.
Application Deadlines
The Call for Applications will officially commence on 20 February 2025, inviting researchers to submit proposals for funding. The submission deadlines for each track are as follows:
- Researchers applying for the Development Track must submit their proposals by 9 April 2025.
- Those seeking funding under the Excellence Track have until 30 June 2025 to submit their applications.
You will find more detailed information on the ECAS website as well as the website of the RSE and zukunft.niedersachsen.
ECAS: A Key Facilitator for Research Collaboration
As a dedicated facilitator of academic exchange between Lower Saxony and Scotland, ECAS plays a central role in connecting researchers and institutions across both regions. It has substantial contributed to the designing of the new funding scheme and acted as a broker between all institutions involved.
To assist, ECAS will organize information sessions for prospective applicants together with the RSE and Volkswagen Foundation providing guidance on the funding streams, application procedures, and partner matching support:
- 6 March 2025 – 12:00 GMT / 13:00 CET
- 18 March 2025 – 9:00 GMT / 10:00 CET
In addition, funded projects will have the opportunity to present their research findings as well as lessons learned on cross-regional collaboration at the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2025, scheduled for 27. + 28. November 2025 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Strengthening European Research Networks
This initiative addresses the evolving landscape of European research collaboration by fostering strong bilateral ties between Lower Saxony and Scotland. By leveraging expertise and resources from both regions, the programme aims to support innovation, enhance funding prospects, and address global challenges in key fields such as renewable energy, digitalisation, life sciences, and the social sciences.
Reflecting on the programme’s importance, Prof. Dr. James Conroy and Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen, Academic Directors at ECAS, stated:
“The Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme is a significant step forward in fostering sustained academic collaboration. ECAS has been instrumental in strengthening institutional ties between these two regions, creating opportunities for impactful, cross-border research. This scheme represents a continued commitment to supporting excellent research that benefits both regions and the wider academic community.”
Previous
