Our work

Learned Societies capacity building activities

Programmes and funding schemes for developing country scientists

A growing number of UK learned societies are supporting scientists in developing countries through capacity building activities such as research grants, fellowships, travel funds and mentoring. Below is an overview of these programmes.

Online journals

In addition, many UK learned societies also participate in international journal access programmes providing free or low cost access for developing countries.

Links in the table will take you directly to the Learned Societies' websites.

Society	Activities	Target region/country
Biochemical Society	International mentoring E-mentoring between UK researchers and students in developing country institutions.	Africa
British Academy	International Partnerships Awards of up to £10,000 to support links between researchers within the humanities and social sciences in the UK and in Africa, the Middle East or South Asia. The Nairobi Report Major report exploring issues facing Africa-UK research collaborations in the humanities and the social sciences.	Africa, the Middle East, South Asia Africa
British Ecological Society	Overseas Bursary for African researchers Grants up to £7,000 for ecologists in developing countries to carry out innovative ecological research. Overseas fellowship scheme Continuation funding up to £15,000 for top candidates from the Overseas Bursary stage. Travel grants Grants of up to £2,000 to visit a UK University Department or Research Institution, and Society Annual Meetings or Symposia.	Africa
The Geological Society of London	Online journal access - 'The Lyell Collection' Electronic resource containing key peer-reviewed Earth science literature.	Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific
The Physiological Society	International Research and Teaching Grants Early career, senior and teaching grants. Meeting grants Grants of up to £2,000 to attend society meetings in the UK.	Global
Institute of Physics	Physics for Development programme A range of projects, events and resources for physicists and physics teachers in developing countries.	Africa
Institution of Civil Engineers	The Africa-UK Engineering for Development Partnership A network to strengthen capacity and promote mutually beneficial links between the engineering community in Africa and the UK.	Africa
London Mathematical Society	Mentoring African Research in Mathematics Developing professional links between mathematicians in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa. International Short Visits Grants of up to £2,100 to support a visit for collaborative research either to or from Africa.	Africa
Royal Astronomical Society	Astronomy for the Developing World (PDF 1.76MB) The Royal Astronomical Society is contributing to a new global strategy that aims to siginficantly improve astronomy education and capacity in developing countries.	All, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa
Royal Academy of Engineering	The Africa-UK Engineering for Development Partnership A network to strengthen capacity and promote mutually beneficial links between the engineering community in Africa and the UK.	Africa
Royal Geographical Society	International Leadership & Capacity Building programme Bursaries of up to £2,000 to support young researchers in the field of environmental sustainability.	Ecuador, Indonesia and Uganda
Royal Society	Royal Society Pfizer prize Annual award for early career scientists based in Africa Leverhulme Royal Society Africa Awards Grants for collaborative research projects between Ghanaian/Tanzanian research institutions and those in UK. Royal Society Pfizer African Academies Programme three year programme of mentoring, training and institutional support for national academies of science.	Africa Ghana & Tanzania Ghana, Tanzania & Ethiopa
Royal Society of Chemistry	Pan Africa Chemistry Network Offers a range of programmes for universities, schools, scientists, teachers and students in Africa.	Africa
Society for General Microbiology	International Development Fund Awards of up to £7,000 for travel and project support for microbiologists in developing countries.	Varies - check website
Society of Applied Microbiology	International Development Award £5000 for a scientist to visit centres in developing countries mainly used for education of microbiology. This award will be replaced in 2011 with the International Capacity Fund. E affiliate membership Free membership for scientists in the poorest 70 countries of the world. Contact membership@sfam.org.uk	Developing countries and Eastern Europe

For more information or to submit your society's capacity building initiatives, contact Kate O'Shea, UKCDS Deputy Director