The grants support transnational education (TNE) partnerships between the UK and 14 other countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey and Viet Nam.
Funding is available for an expected total of 35 projects, each with a value of up to £25,000.
About the grants
TNE Exploratory Grants support projects that address one or more of the following overarching objectives:
- contribute to long-term and sustainable institutional change that promotes a more inclusive access to high quality education through TNE.
- contribute to a better understanding of the local context and facilitate a regulatory and operational environment to best support TNE partnerships
- support TNE initiatives that promote positive changes in the local education systems, considering their context and needs, and creating a more inclusive and accessible international education environment that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Types of projects
Projects can be in any discipline or cross-discipline. They should respond to both countries' needs and meet the criteria as specified in the Guidance Notes document.
TNE Exploratory Grants could support partnerships that aim to (not exhaustive):
- develop new TNE joint projects between UK and the partner country, or build on existing partnerships and insights from previous round of TNE grants.
- co-create curricula relevant to the countries’ needs and/or deliver a pilot joint teaching that will contribute to increase both partner institutions’ degrees or professional qualifications quality.
- develop one or more forms of TNE, including dual, double and joint degrees (the models of TNE as well as topic areas may vary according to the partner country involved).
- work together towards the recognition of UK degrees, including online and blended learning programmes. This could include the design and facilitation of policy dialogues to enhance the regulatory framework and quality assurance of TNE and degree recognition.
- encourage the diversification of UK TNE provision by addressing barriers to academic and research qualifications.
- develop courses that can enhance employability skills and prospects.
- widen access to tertiary education for disadvantaged, less privileged and excluded individuals and communities.
- promote TNE through focus themes of shared interest relating to the SDGs.
Eligibility
In general, lead institutions must be higher education institutions in the UK and eligible countries with degree awarding powers in their own right. Additional eligibility criteria apply for some of the participating countries. Check the Guidance Notes document for full details.
Key details
Countries involved: Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey and Viet Nam.
Grant amount: up to £25,000
Project length: 17 months, starting January 2026
Total funding: grants are available for an expected total of 35 projects*
Clarifications: queries related to the call must be submitted by 21 July at goingglobalpartnerships-TNE@britishcouncil.org and please CC alimurat.guclu@britishcouncil.org.tr
Submission deadline: 8 September 2025
*Three of the project grants are available exclusively to institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.