Introduction

The aim of this scheme is to facilitate research collaboration between universities and research institutes in Iran and Britain.  A grant is offered to cover the costs of exploratory visits to establish joint research projects in priority areas identified annually. The intention is to promote the initial stages of new projects with a potential for other sources of funding. It is not intended to provide long-term financial support. This scheme is financed and managed by the British Council.

There is funding to support ten exploratory visits in each direction under this scheme in 2007/8. A total grant of £1800 will be given to support a visit from Iran to the UK plus a visit from the UK to Iran (i.e. £900 grant per visit).  It is expected that exploratory visits approved under the scheme will be completed before March 2008.Please note that the Application Forms should be completed by the academics in both countries.

Evaluation and Selection

The main factors in evaluating the applications are its mutual benefits, the potential for longer-term collaboration and the possibilities of obtaining future funding from other sources.

Monitoring and Reporting

Project participants are asked to submit an end-of-visit report within two weeks. The report should include:

a brief plain-language summary of the outcomes of the visit§

a list of visits made including locations and duration§

Themes

In 2007/8 preference is given to projects in the fields of mutual interest in the areas of environment, geology, health sciences and medicine, basic sciences, engineering, and information technology.

The Application Form should be completed by the academics in both countries.  The completed form together with cv’s of each academic should be emailed to the British Council Iran: science@ir.britishcouncil.org