SINAPSE is pleased to invite applications for funding to support doctoral students or Early Career Researcher exchanges around the world.

The purpose of the funding is to provide research training and development opportunities for doctoral students and Early Career Researchers working within SINAPSE, while at the same time building experience of international collaboration with academia and/or industry.

We have a fund of up to £20,000 and are looking to maximise the opportunity this presents to distribute the funds and create impact. We are mindful of the different circumstances of our researchers and encourage everyone to consider their needs in planning the project and any funding requirements we can support (e.g. childcare, working hours). Most of our exchanges in the past have been to universities but work with companies is particularly encouraged. We are also keen to see additional funding being leveraged, two-way exchanges, and are open to bringing overseas ECRs and PhDs to the UK. Please read the funding notes below carefully.

Download the application form: SINAPSE SECRE 2025 Application Form

Applications can be submitted to: katerina.pappa@glasgow.ac.uk

Deadline for applications: 6th June 2025

 

Please note:

  • The funding is available only to SINAPSE members who belong to one of the six partner Universities: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Stirling, and Strathclyde. 
  • Criteria for selection will include:
    • Likely benefits to the research of the applicant (new skills, techniques likely to be acquired) as result of the exchange
    • Likely benefits to the longer-term career of the applicant as result of the exchange
    • Evidence of wider benefits to the Network as a result of the exchange
    • Prospects of sustained collaboration as a result of the exchange
    • Level of external contributions to the exchange
  • A two-page report will be required at the end of the exchange. We also require:
    • If the exchange has not already been completed, a progress report by 31st Dec 2025
    • 60 second video about the exchange for use on social media
    • Acknowledgements on any publications that transpire from the collaboration
    • A paper on the collaboration to be submitted to the next SINAPSE ASM
  • The funding must not be used for attendance at conferences, training seminars and the like.

Eligible costs are restricted to economy travel (flights and other transport to and from the host organization) and subsistence at the rate allowed by your institution (e.g. £60 day subsistence, £160 night hotel). The costs of the research are not eligible.

  • The applicant and sponsor [senior research colleague] must both be members of SINAPSE – defined as someone who has a completed profile on the SINAPSE website. The membership self-registration process can be completed at https://www.sinapse.ac.uk/join-sinapse/