Headline Issues Research Grant

Applications for the Headline Issues Research Grant funding should clearly address one of the three overarching topics indicated below. Applications that address one of the indicated sub-topics below are particularly welcome.  

1. Transnational education (TNE) – Collaborating for mutual benefit  
   1. TNE between Europe and India   
   2. TNE between Europe and Latin America  
   3. TNE as a mechanism to advance issues of social responsibility in international education (such as equity, inclusion and environmental sustainability)  

2. Artificial intelligence (AI) – What do we know and where are we headed?  

   1. Leveraging AI to enhance international student mobility experiences  
   2. Leveraging AI to strengthen international learning outcomes  
   3. Leveraging AI to strengthen inter-institutional partnerships  

3.   Sensitive partnerships and relationships – What's working and what's not?  

   1. Understanding the effects of risk management strategies on sensitive partnerships  
   2. Determining the level of alignment of risk management policies at European, national and institutional levels—and implications for practice.  

Applicants must have a proven track record in conducting research related to the focal point of their research proposal.    

Only applications that are focused on one of the current topics of interest to the EAIE for this grant initiative (see relevant FAQ above) will be considered for review.  

You are not eligible to apply if:  

• Your research proposal does not relate to the specific topic(s) described in the current call for proposals.  
• You currently hold an EAIE grant or have an active grant application under review.
• You have received an EAIE grant within the last 3 years 
• You are an EAIE staff member or hold a current role in the EAIE governance or volunteer committees.  

To apply, you must complete the online application form and upload the following documents (note: Documents must be provided in English):  

• CVs of all research team members  
• A completed budget worksheet, which must include estimated costs related to attending the 2027 EAIE Annual Conference   

Applications that are complete and that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed in detail by the EAIE Grants Advisory Group. This group evaluates applications based on several factors, including:  

• Relevance to the specific topics of interest articulated for this grant initiative and with some meaningful resonance with the European higher education context (see relevant FAQs above)  
• Quality of the Principal Investigator’s academic background and research experience (and, where relevant, the additional members of the research team)  
• Clarity and practicality of the proposed budget, timeline and research tasks  
• Confidence in the ability of the Principal Investigator (or research team) to deliver a final product that translates the research undertaken into key messages that are relevant and actionable for international education policy and practice.  

The grant provides €25,000 to €50,000 to support an individual researcher or research team to execute a fast, high-quality, applied research project relevant to the field of international education.   

It funds research on a topic important to the EAIE, helping generate practical insights that can benefit the international education community. It covers costs directly related to the research and these required outputs, including:  

• Dedicated research personnel time   
• Travel for data collection activities   
• Costs associated with data collection activities, such as survey or focus group incentives or survey software   
• Costs associated with data analysis, such as data analysis software or data coding support   
• Access to books, journals or other paid academic resources directly related to the work of the project  
• Travel costs associated with attending the 2027 EAIE Conference and Exhibition, where the results of the research project are required to be presented.   

Other costs not included in the list above may be considered eligible for coverage by the grant, provided they are not already explicitly listed as ineligible costs (see below). The EAIE will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.      

The grant does not cover:   

• Research activities not related to the project financed under this call   
• Costs covered by other sources  
• Costs incurred before the grant starts   
• Currency exchange losses   
• Bank costs charged by the beneficiary’s bank for transfers from the granting authority 

After thoroughly considering all elements in the application, the EAIE Grants Advisory Group will propose the total amount to be awarded to the project.   

In addition to financial support through the grant, the Principal Investigator of the winning grant will receive a fee waiver to attend and present their research at the 2027 Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition.  

The EAIE is the European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalisation of education, with both European roots and a global outlook. Successful applications do not necessarily have to be exclusively focused on Europe, but they should demonstrate some clear relevance to the European higher education context.  

2027 Headline Issues Research Grant recipients are required to:  

• Deliver a presentation of the research at the 2027 EAIE Annual Conference in Lisbon (07-10 September 2027), in a format agreed upon with the EAIE. 
• Co-produce with the EAIE a minimum of two pieces (eg blogs, interviews and/or conference presentations) for organisations/channels beyond the EAIE before the end of 2027 to support dissemination of the findings from the funded research. 

Additionally, the recipients of the grant must:  

• Acknowledge EAIE support in all related publications and presentations that stem from the research.
• Cooperate with the EAIE's public promotion campaign to raise media awareness about the research findings.
• Agree that the EAIE will be the owner of the research results.

The grants are disbursed in three instalments:   

• February 2027: 40%   
• May 2027: 40% following the April project status update   
• December 2027: 20% upon completion of the required research deliverables  

• 30 November 2026: Application deadline  
• Late January 2027: Decision notifications sent to applicants  
• February 2027: Public announcement of Headline Issues Research Grant recipient  
• February 2027:  Project kick-off meeting with the EAIE   
• February 2027: 40% grant funds disbursed  
• April 2027: Project status update due / meeting with the EAIE  
• May 2027: 40% grant funds disbursed  
• 15 August 2027: Primary written deliverable due  
• September 2027: Participation in EAIE Annual Conference  
• September – November 2027: Additional deliverables (co-produced with the EAIE) due  
• December 2027: 20% grant funds disbursed