Building international research partnerships can transform an early-career scientist’s trajectory. The IBRO Collaborative Research Grants are now open for 2026, supporting emerging laboratories with funding to strengthen cross-border scientific collaboration. If you are an early-career principal investigator looking to expand your research network, this opportunity is worth serious consideration.
Quick Facts
- Host Country: International (Collaborative)
- Study Level / Job Type: Career Development Grant
- Funding Type: Research Collaboration Grant
- Eligible Countries: International (Region-based eligibility rules apply)
- Deadline: 15 March 2026
About the Opportunity
The IBRO Collaborative Research Grants are designed to promote meaningful scientific collaboration between emerging research groups and established laboratories across regions.
Offered by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), the programme supports direct collaboration costs, including travel, accommodation, subsistence, and research expenses, necessary to carry out joint projects.
These grants aim to strengthen global neuroscience research capacity by encouraging both inter-regional and, in some cases, intra-regional partnerships. The funding does not cover indirect or institutional overhead costs; it focuses strictly on expenses that directly enable scientific collaboration.
This opportunity is officially offered by the International Brain Research Organization, and applicants should apply through the official application portal.
Also Check: UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the IBRO Collaborative Research Grants, applicants must meet the following conditions:
Project Leader Requirements
- Must be a Principal Investigator (PI) for no more than 7 years
- Must lead an emerging laboratory (established within the last 7 years)
- Career breaks (e.g., maternity, paternity, adoption leave) are accepted if justified
Collaborator Requirements
- Must be a Principal Investigator
- May be from an emerging or established laboratory
Collaboration Requirements
- Collaboration must begin in 2026
- Must include bi-directional travel of PIs, postdocs, and/or students
- Must be completed within two years
- A funding report must be submitted one year after the start date
Regional Eligibility Rules
Eligibility depends on IBRO regional classification:
Africa, Asia-Pacific, Pan-Europe:
- Project leaders must apply with an inter-regional collaborator (from a different IBRO region).
Latin America:
- May apply for intra-regional or inter-regional collaborations.
US/Canada:
- May apply for collaborations within the US/Canada region or internationally.
- Intra-regional proposals must clearly demonstrate benefits to the emerging group.
Inter-regional collaborations are generally preferred.
Maximum Grant Amount
Funding varies by region:
- Africa: USD 6,000
- Asia-Pacific: USD 6,000
- Latin America: USD 6,000
- Pan-Europe: USD 5,000
- US/Canada: USD 6,000
Grants are disbursed using an 80:20 model:
- 80% awarded two months before collaboration begins
- 20% released after project completion and submission of the final report
Benefits
The IBRO Collaborative Research Grants provide:
- Financial support for international research travel
- Coverage for accommodation and subsistence during collaboration
- Funding for direct research expenses
- Strengthened global research networks
- Increased visibility for emerging laboratories
- Career development for early-career principal investigators
Beyond financial support, the programme enhances institutional capacity and builds long-term scientific partnerships.
Who Should Apply
This grant is ideal for:
- Early-career principal investigators leading new laboratories
- Researchers seeking international collaboration opportunities
- Neuroscience research groups looking to expand technical expertise
- Emerging labs aiming to build global partnerships
Investigators from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and other developing research environments may particularly benefit from structured inter-regional collaborations.
Also Check: SOAS Teaching Scholarships 2026
Application Process
- Confirm your regional eligibility under IBRO’s classification.
- Identify and secure a qualified collaborating principal investigator.
- Develop a joint collaboration proposal outlining scientific objectives.
- Create an applicant account via the IBRO Grants Portal.
- Submit your application during the open period (15 February – 15 March 2026).
Applications must be submitted within the official call window.
How to Apply
If you are ready to expand your laboratory’s international footprint and strengthen your research capacity, now is the time to act. The application window is limited.
Early preparation is highly recommended, especially for inter-regional partnerships that require coordination.
For more details. Visit the IBRO Collaborative Research Grants.
