While most of the research enterprise at UC Berkeley is funded by the U.S. federal agencies, there are funding opportunities for U.S.-based researchers from international funding agencies as well. Many of those are awarded to researchers in the countries where the funding comes from with U.S. researchers serving as collaborators, while others may fund U.S. researchers conducting research in the country of funding. In addition, there are collaborative programs between international agencies and U.S. agencies. The following list is a non-exhaustive list of international funding agencies, as well as some specific funding opportunities offered by them, and should be taken as an example of the type of opportunities available for U.S.-based researchers. Pivot can be used to search for international funding opportunities, as well as domestic ones. Please reach out to BRDO to discuss any of these agencies and/or specific opportunities further, or if you would like to recommend additional agencies/opportunities to add.
- Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s key funding program for research, with a annual budget of $100B. While most of its funding is destined for researchers based in the EU, many funding programs can include international researchers as partners in research consortia submitting collaborative research proposals. Horizon Europe funds research in many thematic areas, including health, inclusive societies, civil security, digital industry & space, climate, food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture & environment.
Please see here for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the European Union’s program for doctoral education and postdoctoral training.
- European Network of Research and Innovation Centers and Hubs (ENRICH)
ENRICH was launched under Horizon to provide collaboration and commercialization support services to European researchers in other countries, including the US. ENRICH in the USA has programs which target various research- and market-oriented concepts at commercially-viable technology maturity levels.
- European Research Council (ERC)
The European Research Council is the European Union’s funding program for key frontier research in all fields, with an annual budget of $17B. Researchers from anywhere in the world can apply for ERC grants, provided the research they undertake will be carried out in the EU.
NSF and ERC have signed an agreement to enable U.S.-based scientists and engineers with active NSF awards, particularly those early in their careers, to pursue research collaboration with European colleagues supported through EU-funded ERC grants.
- German Research Foundation (DFG)
The German Research Foundation is the research funding agency of Germany, with an annual budget of $4B. It accepts proposals with international participation within its entire portfolio. It maintains 3 U.S. offices, including one in San Francisco. See here for more information on international programs.
- Swissnex
Swissnex is Switzerland's global network for education, research and innovation. It maintains a local office in San Francisco. See here for their academic programs, fostering international exchange.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) funds the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities, with an annual budget of $1.8B. The JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan consists of two programs: "Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan” for young researchers and “Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan” for mid-career and senior researchers.
- UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is the United Kingdom government’s body that directs research and innovation funding and it includes seven Research Councils, including the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and others. Its annual funding exceeds $11B. UKRI funds international research for international researchers who want to work in the UK, as well as for international researchers who want to collaborate with UK researchers.
- NSF NRT US-Ireland Student Mobility Program
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the Irish government’s agency funding basic and applied research in STEM with an annual budget of over $215M. NSF works with SFI to offer supplemental funding to support NRT trainees to pursue additional training in Ireland. This supplemental funding opportunity supports graduate students in research-based master's and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. This opportunity is open only to organizations with active NRT awards that have completed the first year of their award and are not in a no-cost extension year.
Researchers seeking international funding should ensure they are in compliance with UC Berkeley policies on financial transcactions with embargoed or otherwise resctricted destinations, organizations or individuals, as defined by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.