TNE Exploratory Grants 2026 | Up to £25,000 for Higher Education Partnerships

Higher education institutions seeking to strengthen international collaboration can now apply for the TNE Exploratory Grants 2026 under the Going Global Partnerships programme. The second round of funding offers 11 additional grants to support partnerships between institutions in the United Kingdom, Armenia, Bangladesh, and Thailand.

The grants aim to promote sustainable transnational education (TNE) partnerships that expand access to quality education, strengthen institutional collaboration, and contribute to positive change in local education systems.

About the TNE Exploratory Grants

The TNE Exploratory Grants support innovative projects that explore opportunities for transnational education partnerships while promoting inclusive and accessible international education.

The programme seeks to encourage institutions to better understand local educational contexts, develop sustainable partnerships, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through international education collaboration.

Grant Objectives

Projects should address one or more of the following objectives:

* Promote long-term and sustainable institutional change through Transnational Education (TNE).
* Increase access to high-quality and inclusive education.
* Improve understanding of local contexts and regulatory environments that support TNE partnerships.
* Strengthen operational frameworks for international education collaboration.
* Support education initiatives that respond to local needs and priorities.
* Contribute to positive changes in education systems and SDG achievement.

Funding Details

Grant Amount: Up to £25,000
*Project Duration: 17 months
*Project Start Date:  January 2027
* Number of Projects Funded: 11
* Programme: Going Global Partnerships
Participating Countries:  Armenia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and the United Kingdom

Eligibility Criteria

For Armenia and Bangladesh Partnerships

* The lead institution must be a UK higher education provider with degree-awarding powers.
* Partnerships should involve eligible institutions in Armenia or Bangladesh.

 For Thailand Partnerships

* The lead institution must be a Thai higher education institution.
* Partnerships should involve eligible UK institutions and meet programme requirements.

Applicants should consult the official Call Guidance document for complete eligibility requirements.

 Benefits of the Grant

Selected institutions will receive:

* Funding of up to £25,000.
* Opportunities to establish or strengthen international partnerships.
* Support for exploring sustainable TNE models.
* Enhanced institutional capacity for international collaboration.
* Opportunities to contribute to educational development and SDG-related outcomes.
* Greater understanding of local educational systems and regulatory frameworks.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the Going Global Partnerships online grant platform.

Armenia and Bangladesh Partnerships

Applicants should use:

Going Global Partnerships – Armenia & Bangladesh – TNE Exploratory Grants 2026

Applications can only be initiated and submitted by the lead UK institution.

Thailand Partnerships

Applicants should use:

Going Global Partnerships – Thailand – TNE Exploratory Grants 2026

Applications can only be initiated and submitted by the lead Thai institution.

Important Dates

Clarification Questions Deadline: 23 July 2026
Application Deadline: 2 September 2026, 11:59 a.m. BST
Project Start Date: January 2027

Why Apply?

The TNE Exploratory Grants provide an excellent opportunity for universities and higher education institutions to explore innovative international education partnerships. Beyond financial support, the programme helps institutions build long-term collaboration frameworks that improve educational access, quality, and sustainability across multiple countries.

Institutions interested in expanding their global engagement strategies and contributing to stronger international education systems should consider applying for this competitive funding opportunity.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Going Global Partnerships online grant platform before the deadline.

Application Deadline:  2 September 2026

Conclusion

The TNE Exploratory Grants: Round 2 offer an excellent opportunity for higher education institutions in the UK, Armenia, Bangladesh, and Thailand to build innovative international partnerships that can transform access to quality education. With funding of up to £25,000 per project, successful applicants will have the chance to explore new transnational education models, strengthen institutional collaboration, and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable higher education systems.

Beyond financial support, these grants provide a platform for institutions to deepen international engagement, improve understanding of local educational contexts, and develop initiatives that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme encourages institutions to create long-term impact by fostering knowledge exchange, enhancing educational opportunities, and supporting positive policy and system-level changes.

If your institution is looking to establish or expand meaningful transnational education partnerships, this grant programme could be the catalyst needed to turn innovative ideas into impactful projects. Interested applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application guidance before submitting their proposals ahead of the 2 September 2026 deadline.

Discover more opportunities like these on the OFY webpage.