Funding opportunities
The International Strategy and Academic Partnerships (ISAP) team manages a portfolio of funding opportunities to support LSE researchers in developing and strengthening international collaborations. These schemes enable academics to initiate new partnerships, deepen existing relationships, and pursue high-quality, globally relevant research.
Our portfolio includes Joint Research Seed Funds with leading global partners, where matched contributions increase the overall level of funding and support collaborative research on shared global challenges. We also offer the Global Research Fund, a seed funding scheme open across disciplines and regions, alongside the Global Partnership Development Fund and opportunities through the CIVICA alliance.
Joint research funding schemes with global partners
Democratic systems everywhere are being tested by polarisation, a resurgence of populism, misinformation, declining institutional legitimacy, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. This fund supports scholarly collaborations that can examine these challenges with analytical depth and comparative perspective, drawing on rigorous, forward-looking research rooted in a shared commitment to understanding and safeguarding democracy in an era of profound global change.
For details on the eligibility criteria, and key deadlines, check our dedicated page.
Applications are now open.
Other match-funded joint schemes with LSE’s global partners are currently under development. Further details will be published here soon, so please check this page regularly.
Global Research Fund (GRF)
The Global Research Fund (GRF) provides support for individual LSE researchers and their nominated international partners to undertake collaborative research activities, such as research visits and intensive workshops, designed to initiate projects with academic colleagues from international institutions. These initiatives are intended to eventually lead to joint publications or grant proposals.
Find out more here
Applications open on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
Global Partnership Development Fund (GPDF)
The Global Partnership Development Fund (GPDF) is designed to encourage international activities and support academic collaborations. It aims to enable faculty to further existing, or develop new partnerships with counterparts based at a partner institution. Applications should clearly demonstrate the potential benefits of the proposed activity in relation to their department’s international collaborations.
Find out more here.
Applications open on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
CIVICA Funding Opportunities
CIVICA regularly invites faculty, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students to submit applications for seed funding and short visits. For details on the most recent call for application, check this page.
Contact and FAQs
For further information, please visit the FAQs page or contact the ISAP team at global@lse.ac.uk.