In 2009 RCUK and FAPESP, the Research Council for the State of São Paulo signed
a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the existing research links between
the UK and Brazil to help encourage and support proposals that involve international
collaborative teams.
The MoU provides for a Lead Agency agreement whereby UK and Brazil researchers
(a joint community of 75,000 academics) may apply for funds from both countries
primarily through the UK Research Councils response mode schemes. So proposals can
be accepted at any time and no earmarked funding is necessary to support this agreement.
The agreement not only strengthens the existing valuable research links between
the UK and Brazil but by avoiding double jeopardy in funding applications, it removes
some of the barriers facing international research collaboration.
- RCUK receives and assesses the proposals from eligible applicants in both
countries on behalf of both organisations.
- Researchers submit a single joint proposal to the relevant UK Research Council
who process the application according to their normal procedures.
- FAPESP nominated experts are involved with the peer review and decision
making process throughout.
- The decision of the UK Research Council, with input from FAPESP, determines
funding for both national elements of the joint research proposal.
Due to their respective different modes of funding and procedures individual
UK Research Councils will initially take differing approaches to the implementation
of the agreement.
For further information on the MoU and implementation by the UK Research Councils
please see our
Guidance on Implementation
Brazilian applicants should also complete the FAPESP Research Proposal Form and
FAPESP Consolidated Budget Spreadsheet to summarise the proposal and to
state the costs being requested from FAPESP.
The forms are available on the FAPESP website here.