Given the on-going uncertainty and widespread misapprehensions about the eligibility of UK-based applicants to participate in EU research and higher education funding programmes, Universities UK (UUK) have issued a briefing note summarising the current position.

The key message is that, despite the UK’s decision to leave the EU, nothing has changed in terms of the UK’s status in EU programmes including Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+. UK-based applicants are therefore encouraged to continue to work with collaborators across the EU in developing applications for funding under both programmes.

The agreement on Phase One of the negotiations for the UK’s exit from the EU – announced in December 2017 – clarifies that the UK will continue to pay into the EU budget up until the end of the current budget period in 2020 and therefore there will be no change in the UK’s status in relation to these programmes until 2021 at the earliest. read more

The NIHR currently has five open calls on the theme of mental health with deadlines in late March/early April. These are:

• 17/110 EME Mental Health Themed Call – Closing date: 27 March 2018

Applications to the EME Programme may test interventions for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of mental ill health, or the promotion of good mental health. Applications should examine the efficacy of interventions, and may explore the mechanisms underlying possible efficacy. Applications may investigate novel or repurposed interventions and technologies, but studies of incremental or minor improvements to existing technologies or the discovery of new biomarkers are not within the remit of the EME Programme. read more

The next round of Santander funding opens on Friday 12 January. Here you can apply for £500, £1,000 or £5000 to assist with travel costs for an international visit or project.

Further details, criteria and link to the application form can be found at:
https://www.salford.ac.uk/santander/santander-universities-travel-award-information-for-staff

Deadline 6 April 2018.