# Working with Brazilian Researchers

**Funder:** ESRC
**Budget:** £350k–£1M (80% FEC, UK part); FAPESP funds Brazilian part separately
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Required — UK project lead (ESRC-funded) plus at least one São Paulo-based partner (FAPESP-funded); parallel applications to both ESRC (UKRI Funding Service) and FAPESP (SAGe) required
**Application:** 2-stage: São Paulo PI submits to FAPESP via SAGe first, then UK lead submits to UKRI Funding Service in the same week with SAGe PDF and FAPESP eligibility letter attached
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/esrc-working-with-brazilian-researchers/
**Last verified:** 29 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Collaborative social science research between UK institutions (ESRC-eligible) and São Paulo-based institutions (FAPESP-eligible, public or non-profit HEIs/research orgs in São Paulo state). Full economic cost £350k–£1M; ESRC funds 80%. Social sciences must be >50% of focus. No thematic priorities; highest-quality proposals funded. Proposals must be submitted in English.

## Summary

The ESRC Working with Brazilian Researchers call funds joint UK, Brazil collaborative social science research, requiring a UK PI based at an eligible UK institution and a São Paulo-based PI applying through FAPESP. Applicants must comply with ESRC ethics and data governance frameworks. This is a partnered call with no fixed budget ceiling stated here; costs are submitted through separate channels (UKRI Funding Service for UK, FAPESP SAGe for Brazil).

## Who should apply

- UK researchers based at ESRC-eligible institutions
- Researchers with an established or newly identified partner in São Paulo or broader Brazil
- Social science projects with binational collaborative ambition
- Teams prepared to manage dual-funding submissions and governance frameworks

## Key dates

- Two-stage review: Expert Review then Panel assessment
- Assessment process aims to complete by spring 2024
- Submit UK costs via UKRI Funding Service; Brazilian costs via FAPESP SAGe

## Tips for applicants

- Secure your São Paulo co-PI and confirm FAPESP eligibility before drafting; FAPESP partner involvement is mandatory and non-negotiable.
- Budget and administrative timelines differ between UKRI and FAPESP systems; liaise early with both institutions to avoid delays at submission.
- Frame the research question and ethics case in ways that satisfy both ESRC and FAPESP review panels; one set of ethics clearance rarely satisfies both.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who needs to apply for the ESRC Working with Brazilian Researchers call?

A UK PI based at an eligible UK research organisation and a São Paulo-based PI who applies through FAPESP SAGe.

### How does the application process work for UK, Brazil teams?

It is a two-stage process: Expert Review followed by Panel assessment; UK costs go through UKRI Funding Service and Brazilian costs through FAPESP SAGe.

### What research ethics rules apply?

Proposals must comply with the ESRC Framework for Research Ethics and ESRC Research Data Policy.

### Can I apply if my Brazilian partner is not in São Paulo?

The call specifies a São Paulo-based co-PI; applicants should verify FAPESP eligibility and geographic scope on the joint call page.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/esrc-working-with-brazilian-researchers-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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