China and India

International collaboration

There are no open bilateral opportunities to support research collaboration equivalent to the lead agency agreements with the US and Brazil, although both countries are important research partners and remain priority international partners for the UK government. Both countries are partners under DSIT’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). Use the further reading in this section to understand more about recent political commitments and joint research and innovation priorities and investments.

UKRI

UKRI’s project co-lead (international) policy allows international collaborators to be costed into grants at up to 30% of the total cost of the project. You should check the call guidelines of the call you are applying to for confirmation of this. 

Academic exchange

The Royal Society's International Exchanges is an annual scheme which supports new research collaborations with academics outside of the UK. There is a specific cost-share arrangement with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Further reading

India-UK Vision 2035 - endorsed by Prime Ministers Modi and Starmer on 24 July 2025.

UKRI India - details of UKRI's office in New Delhi.

Joint statement from the 11th UK and China Joint Commission meeting on science and technology - held in Beijing on the 11th November 2025.

UKRI China - details of UKRI's office in Beijing.