International agreements

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Lead agency agreement with Sao Paulo Research Foundation

EPSRC accepts joint proposals under the lead agency agreement between the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to encourage and support proposals involving international collaborative teams.

Under the lead agency agreement, a single joint proposal from applicants in both countries is submitted to EPSRC and processed according to EPSRC’s standard peer review procedures. Successful UK-based research groups are funded by EPSRC, and Sao Paulo-based research groups are funded by FAPESP.

Joint applications to this programme are accepted at any time, and mostly follow the standard EPSRC format. However, there are additional specific requirements for applications under this agreement, as set out in the application process below.

Submit an expression of interest.

Application process

Prior to submission

EPSRC accepts joint applications for standard research grants under the joint EPSRC-FAPESP at any time, but to enable EPSRC and FAPESP to ensure that you meet your respective funding organisation’s eligibility requirements, and that your proposed research falls within their remit, you must first submit an expression of interest. This should be done at least three months before your planned submission date.

Submission of joint proposal

This includes:

  • full proposals will only be accepted with prior agreement of EPSRC and FAPESP following the submission of an expression of interest form
  • except where indicated otherwise, joint applications should follow standard EPSRC format. Additional pages are not permitted
  • the title of all applications submitted under this partnership must begin ‘EPSRC-FAPESP’
  • a single joint proposal should be submitted to EPSRC via the Funding Service,with the Sao Paulo applicants designated as project partners. Include the scientific case for both components of the project in your vision and approach section
  • a section on the Sao Paulo applicants must be included in the applicant and team capability to deliver section
  • the total direct costs requested by the Sao Paulo applicants from FAPESP should be included in the application form as a cash project-partner contribution
  • the resource and cost justification must include a section on the costs requested by the Sao Paulo-based research groups, making it clear which costs will be funded by FAPESP and which costs will be funded by EPSRC if the application is successful
  • the Sao Paulo-based researchers must submit a copy of the proposal through FAPESP’s SAGe submission system concurrently with the UKRI Funding Service application and according to FAPESP’s guidelines

Reviewers’ comments and the project lead response to reviews will be shared with FAPESP once the funding decision has been made.

Ask a question about the agreement with the Sao Paulo Research Foundation

Email: ukri-agreement@fapesp.br

Last updated: 22 November 2023

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