Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected world, the need for robust international research collaboration has never been more critical. Such collaborations enable the pooling of diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives, fostering innovation and addressing global challenges more effectively. However, forming productive international research partnerships can be challenging, due to differing institutional priorities and practices, overcoming geographical and cultural barriers, and securing sustainable funding. The Universities of Bristol and Cape Town are strategic partners based on their common membership of the Worldwide Universities Network, a global higher education and research network of 23 universities across six continents committed to working together to support research and education in areas of global significance. Despite this close institutional relationship, researchers based at the respective institutions still face significant barriers when responding to collaborative research funding opportunities. A case study of a 2024 joint funding call, between the South African Medical Research Council and the United Kingdom Research and Innovation Medical Research Council, will be used to highlight two different approaches in response to this sort of bi-lateral funding opportunity: (1) A rapid response that involves finding new points of contact which can be challenging in terms of timelines but could lead to exciting new collaborations due to the clear focus of the funding call, and (2) the building and nurturing of relationships between institutions which can take time and requires effort, and where it is uncertain at the outset whether it will ultimately result in a successful collaboration. This case study will highlight the challenges faced by researchers seeking to apply for research grants requiring an international collaborator and unpack and explore the immediate and longer-term actions Research Managers and Administrators can take to support either scenario, ultimately facilitating the ‘hatching’ of a transnational collaboration and the submission of a joint research grant proposal.