UCL - NUS Research and Innovation Collaboration Fund 2026/27

UCL and NUS have launched a joint call for collaborative research in neuroscience and ageing, aiming to foster partnerships and catalyse lasting collaboration for healthy longevity.

Please read the full guidance carefully before preparing your application.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and UCL invite joint research proposals to foster partnerships and catalyse impactful research at the intersection of neuroscience and ageing, with a special emphasis on healthy longevity. The fund provides seed support to initiate or deepen collaborations, generate new interdisciplinary insights, and position teams for future external funding opportunities.

Projects

Projects must clearly address the intersection of neuroscience and ageing—applying neuroscience methods, perspectives, or approaches to challenges in brain health, cognitive function, functional independence, or healthy longevity.

Proposals solely focusing on neuroscience or ageing without integrating both will not be considered.
Illustrative areas of interest include:

• Biological, Clinical, and Translational Research in brain ageing, neurodegeneration, therapeutics, and care pathways
• AI, Digital, Data Science, and Technological Innovation for brain health in ageing populations
• Population Health and Life-Course Approaches, including longitudinal studies of cognitive outcomes
• Behavioural, Cognitive, and Preventative Interventions for cognitive resilience and independence
• Social, Environmental, and Systems-Level Determinants of brain health and ageing
• Interdisciplinary and Integrative Approaches across social sciences, humanities, engineering, and design

Eligibility

• UCL: Academic staff (Professor, Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Research Associate, Postdoc) on contracts through July 2027. PhD students and Professional Services staff may not apply as PI, but can join project teams. Principal Investigators from UCL should be aware of the rules stipulated on the Partner Funds webpage here.
• NUS: Full-time academic staff with at least 75% time at NUS and a contract covering the project duration.

One proposal per PI per call. Each proposal must have one PI at UCL and one at NUS.

Value

• Up to £10,000 (UCL) and S$17,000 (NUS) per project
• Maximum project duration: 12 months
• Each institution funds its own researchers—funds are not pooled or transferred
• Up to six joint projects will be supported

Eligible costs: travel and subsistence, consumables, research assistants/associates/technicians (directly related to the project).

Salary costs for existing staff, teaching buyout, or costs already covered by other grants are not eligible.

Timeline 

How to apply

• Joint applications using this form
• Maximum two-page case for support (see guidance for requirements)
• Itemised budget
• Two-page CVs for UCL and NUS PIs
• Applications must be submitted as a single PDF by the NUS PI via the online portal before the deadline

Review & Expected Outcomes

Applications are reviewed at both UCL and NUS for excellence, fit, value for money, and strategic impact. Jointly agreed projects will be funded.
By the end of the project, expected outcomes include at least one of:

• Joint publication in a recognised journal
• Researcher/student exchange (>3 months)
• Specialised lecture or joint workshop
• Joint application for external funding
• Other equivalent collaborative outputs

Contact

Please contact your respective institution’s coordinator if you have any queries about this grant:

At UCL: 

Dr Amit Khandelwal
Senior Global Engagement Manager, UCL Global Engagement
amit.khandelwal@ucl.ac.uk

At the National University of Singapore:

Brenda Lim
Manager, Office of the Deputy President (Research & Technology)
dprbox52@nus.edu.sg

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