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International Exchange Programme - Bilateral

Bilateral Programme

The Bilateral Programme facilitates the collaboration between researchers from Scotland and those based in institutions with which the RSE has a formal Memorandum of Understanding. Exchange Programme grants are for short-term visits of one to four weeks duration, the key objectives being to enhance the research capabilities of individual researchers, develop international collaborative links, and enable participation in international research programmes.

For visits to Scotland, the RSE meets the cost of accommodation and subsistence in Scotland, and international travel is covered by the partner academy. For visits from Scotland, the RSE covers the international travel, and the partner academy provides for accommodation and subsistence.

Both visitors and hosts should have established contact before submitting an application, either by previous collaboration or by scientific correspondence.

Eligibility

• The Exchange programmes are open to Fellows and non-Fellows
• Researchers traveling should have at least a PhD or equivalent at the time of travel
• Visits should be 1-4 weeks in duration
• Applications should be submitted at least 3 months before the proposed visit date (except in the case of exchanges with India when applications should be submitted 6 months before the proposed visit date)
• Researchers from Scotland (whether visiting or hosting a visit) must be working in a Scottish research institution, and hosts for researchers visiting Scotland must be based at a Scottish research institution.
• Both visitors and hosts must have established contact before application
• For specific areas of research, please see individual programme pages, however, research should be of an academic rather than clinical nature
• Applications are judged by open competition on scientific merit. The decision of the selection committee is final.
• We will normally only consider applications made for repeat or return visits following receipt of reports of the first visit so that they may be judged in light of the outcomes of the initial activity
• Funding for return or repeat visits is not guaranteed
• Check FCO travel advice for guidance on travel to the destination country
• Please check each exchange programme for any specific eligibility criteria

Forms and Guidance

Closing Date

The next closing date is 31 July 2012. Completed applications and all supporting documents must be received by this date. Results are available around two months after the deadline. Where these dates fall on a weekend, applications must be received by the next working day.

Bilateral Programme Partner Organisations

Under the Bilateral Programme, the RSE has Memoranda of Understanding with the organisations listed below.  Please note that applications for visits from Scotland should be submitted to the RSE.  Applications for visits from one of our partner countries/regions to Scotland should be submitted to the relevant overseas Academy.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (not currently available)

The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Chinese Academy of Sciences are currently considering how best to support collaborations between Scotland and China and therefore are not currently funding international exchanges between the two countries. Applications can be submitted through the Open Programme when it is available.

The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

Applications to the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts letters and humanities.

Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Italian National Academy)

Applications to the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Applications to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

The Indian National Science Academy

Applications for exchanges with the Indian National Science Academy must be submitted to the RSE at least six months prior to the visit to allow time for security clearance.

Applications for exchanges between Scotland and India are invited in the following subject areas:

• Mathematical Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Animal Sciences
• Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Physics
• Engineering and Technology
• Plant Sciences
• Medical Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences

Application for exchanges in any other subject area should be submitted through the Open Exchange Programme, when this is available.

The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (not currently available)

The Royal Society of Edinburgh signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in 2008. The Bilateral Funding scheme is not currently available with the ASM, but applications can be submitted through the Open Programme when it is available.

The Royal Society of New Zealand (not currently available)

The Royal Society of Edinburgh has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Society of New Zealand to facilitate, encourage and support research collaboration in all areas between research groups in Scotland and New Zealand. The Bilateral Funding scheme is not currently available, but applications can be submitted through the Open Programme when it is available.

The Pakistan Academy of Sciences

Applications to the Pakistan Academy of Sciences are considered in all areas of the natural sciences.

The Polish Academy of Sciences

Applications to the Polish Academy of Sciences are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

The Slovak Academy of Sciences

Applications to the Slovak Academy of Sciences are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

The Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Applications to the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

The National Science Council of Taiwan

Applications to the National Science Council of Taiwan are considered in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, letters and humanities.

Applications will be particularly welcome in the following areas:

• Biotechnology & Life Sciences, especially Genome Project, Mitochondria Research, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Cancer Research, Bio-Chip, Bio-Ethics and Stem Cell Research.
• Oceanography especially Paleo-Oceanography and Marine Geochemistry.
• Engineering especially E-Science, Informatics, Nanotechnology System on a Chip and Photonics.