Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026: £25,000 Grants for UK and International Higher Education Institutions
The Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 programme is now open, offering grants of up to £25,000 to support international partnerships that strengthen disability inclusion in higher education. The initiative brings together eligible higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and partner institutions from 10 participating countries to identify barriers faced by persons with disabilities and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
The programme is designed to promote more inclusive higher education systems by supporting institutional collaboration, policy development, evidence generation, knowledge exchange, and the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making.
For institutions working to make higher education more accessible, equitable, and disability-inclusive, this funding provides an opportunity to collaborate internationally and implement meaningful institutional change.
Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 at a Glance
- Programme: Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026
- Funding: Up to £25,000 per partnership
- Project duration: 17 months
- Expected project start: 1 January 2027
- Publication date: 20 July 2026
- Clarification deadline: 11 September 2026
- Application deadline: 21 September 2026
- Submission time: 11:00 a.m. BST
- Application platform: Good Grants
- Lead applicant: Eligible UK higher education institution
- International partners: Institutions in one of 10 participating countries
- Partnership requirement: UK higher education institution + eligible partner institution in a participating country
What Is the Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 Programme?
Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 provides funding for partnerships between higher education institutions in the UK and institutions in selected international partner countries.
The programme focuses on addressing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from fully participating, progressing, and succeeding in higher education.
Rather than focusing only on individual support, the grants encourage institutions to examine their broader systems, policies, practices, learning environments, governance structures, and decision-making processes.
Through international collaboration and knowledge exchange, participating institutions are expected to identify challenges and develop approaches that can produce lasting institutional improvements.
The programme therefore places considerable emphasis on sustainable institutional change, rather than short-term interventions.
Which Countries Can Participate?
For the 2026 funding round, eligible UK institutions can establish partnerships with institutions in the following 10 countries:
- Bangladesh
- Ghana
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to higher education institutions in Africa, Asia, and Europe that are interested in collaborating with UK institutions on disability inclusion.
However, institutions should carefully review the official Call Guidance because country-specific eligibility requirements and priorities may apply.
Objectives of the Disability Inclusion Partnerships Grants
The programme has several interconnected objectives aimed at strengthening disability inclusion across higher education.
1. Strengthen Disability-Inclusive Policies and Systems
One of the central objectives is to help higher education institutions develop or strengthen policies, systems, and institutional practices that promote disability inclusion.
Projects could therefore examine how existing institutional policies address disability and identify areas where improvements are required.
This may include reviewing institutional approaches to accessibility, teaching and learning, student services, research, governance, recruitment, staff support, and participation.
2. Improve Participation and Outcomes for Persons with Disabilities
The programme seeks to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities to access and participate successfully in higher education.
This extends beyond admission and includes the ability of students and staff with disabilities to participate fully in institutional life and achieve positive outcomes.
Projects should therefore consider the barriers that may affect participation, progression, retention, achievement, and success.
3. Promote Sustainable Institutional Change
The grants are intended to support changes that can continue beyond the lifetime of the funded project.
Partnerships are encouraged to generate evidence, strengthen institutional capacity, develop sustainable approaches, and share knowledge that can influence long-term disability-inclusive practice.
Expected Outcomes of Funded Projects
Successful projects are expected to contribute to one or more of several outcomes.
Stronger Institutional Leadership and Governance
Projects may help institutions strengthen leadership, governance, and organisational capacity to implement disability-inclusive policies and practices.
This could involve improving institutional structures, responsibilities, accountability mechanisms, or leadership approaches related to disability inclusion.
More Accessible Learning, Teaching and Research Environments
Another expected outcome is the creation of more accessible and inclusive environments for students and staff with disabilities.
Projects may address barriers within teaching, learning, research, institutional facilities, services, or other aspects of the higher education experience.
The goal is to ensure that disability inclusion becomes part of institutional practice rather than being treated as an isolated issue.
Better Evidence on Disability Inclusion
Projects can also contribute to improved understanding of the barriers and enabling factors affecting persons with disabilities in higher education.
Generating reliable evidence can help institutions understand where challenges exist and determine which approaches can produce meaningful improvements.
Implementation of Inclusive Policies and Frameworks
The programme also encourages institutions to move from policy development to implementation.
Successful projects may support the development, improvement, or implementation of policies and frameworks that embed disability-inclusive practices within institutional systems.
Stronger External Partnerships
Projects are expected, where appropriate, to strengthen relationships between higher education institutions and external stakeholders.
These may include:
- Organisations of disabled people
- Employers
- Civil society organisations
- Other relevant external stakeholders
Such relationships can help institutions improve participation and progression not only during higher education but also as students and graduates transition into employment and wider society.
Greater Voice and Agency for Disabled People
An important element of the programme is increasing the involvement of disabled people in institutional decision-making.
Projects can contribute to greater participation, voice, and agency for disabled people in shaping:
- Institutional policies
- Academic practices
- Support systems
- Decision-making processes
- Disability inclusion strategies
This approach recognises persons with disabilities as active contributors to institutional change rather than simply recipients of support.
Greater Integration of Intersectional Approaches
The programme also encourages institutions to consider intersectionality when developing policies and practices.
This means recognising that disability can intersect with other factors and circumstances that may influence a person’s experience within higher education.
Institutions are therefore encouraged to consider how different experiences and forms of disadvantage may interact when developing inclusive approaches.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 grants are institutional partnership grants, rather than individual scholarships or grants for individual applicants.
A partnership must include:
- One eligible UK higher education institution, and
- One partner institution in one of the 10 participating countries.
The partnership must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in the official Call Guidance.
UK Institution Eligibility
The UK lead institution must be a higher education provider with degree-awarding powers.
The UK institution serves as the lead applicant and is responsible for submitting the application through the designated online grant platform.
Overseas Institution Eligibility
The overseas partner must meet the eligibility requirements specified in the Call Guidance for the relevant participating country.
Because requirements may differ between participating countries, institutions should not assume that every higher education institution automatically qualifies.
Applicants should therefore consult the country-specific sections of the official guidance before developing and submitting their application.
How the Partnership Application Works
Applications must be jointly developed by the UK and overseas lead institutions.
This means the proposal should be developed collaboratively rather than being prepared independently by one institution.
The partnership should demonstrate a clear understanding of the disability inclusion challenge being addressed and explain how the proposed collaboration will contribute to meaningful institutional change.
The completed application must be submitted by the UK lead institution.
Importantly, online applications can only be started and submitted by the lead UK institution.
Grant Amount and Project Duration
Successful partnerships can receive a grant of up to £25,000.
Funded projects will have a duration of 17 months, with projects scheduled to begin on:
1 January 2027
The 17-month timeframe provides participating institutions with an opportunity to develop their partnership, investigate disability inclusion challenges, implement activities, generate evidence, exchange knowledge, and work towards sustainable institutional change.
Applicants should therefore ensure that proposed activities are realistic and achievable within the project period.
Application Deadline
The final submission deadline for Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 is:
21 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. BST
Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their application. Because the programme requires collaboration between UK and international institutions, partnerships should allow sufficient time for planning, drafting, reviewing, institutional approval, and submission.
Important Clarification Deadline
The deadline for submitting clarification questions is:
11 September 2026
Questions relating to the programme should be sent to: goingglobalpartnerships-DIP@britishcouncil.org
Institutions with questions about eligibility, country-specific requirements, application procedures, or other aspects of the call should seek clarification before the clarification deadline.
How to Apply for Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026
Applications must be submitted through the programme’s online grant platform.
The application process can be approached through the following steps.
Step 1: Identify an Eligible Partner
Eligible UK institutions should identify a suitable partner institution in one of the 10 participating countries.
Similarly, institutions in the participating countries should seek collaboration with an eligible UK higher education institution.
The partnership should have a clear shared interest in disability inclusion and the capacity to deliver the proposed project.
Step 2: Review the Call Guidance
Before developing the proposal, both institutions should carefully review the official Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026: Call Guidance.
The guidance contains important information concerning:
- Eligibility
- Country-specific requirements
- Programme priorities
- Application requirements
- Project expectations
- Funding conditions
- Other requirements that applicants need to satisfy
This step is particularly important because eligibility requirements may differ across participating countries.
Step 3: Develop the Project Jointly
The UK and overseas institutions should jointly develop the proposal.
The project should clearly identify the disability inclusion challenge, explain why it matters, and demonstrate how the partnership will address the issue.
A strong proposal should establish a logical connection between:
Problem → Partnership → Activities → Evidence → Institutional Change → Sustainable Outcomes
Step 4: Prepare the Application
Applicants should complete the required online application and prepare any supporting information requested in the Call Guidance.
An offline sample of the application form is available to help institutions understand the information required before completing the online submission.
Step 5: Register on the Grant Platform
Applications must be submitted through the online grant platform, and registration is required.
The designated platform is the Going Global Partnerships grant platform.
The application should be made using the form:
“Going Global Partnerships – Multi-country – Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026.”
Step 6: Submit Through the UK Lead Institution
The final application must be submitted by the eligible UK lead institution.
Online applications can only be started and submitted by the lead UK institution.
Partnerships should therefore ensure that the UK lead institution has sufficient time to complete the online process before the deadline.
What Should Applicants Consider When Developing a Strong Proposal?
Although applicants should follow the official Call Guidance for the complete requirements, partnerships can strengthen their preparation by considering several key areas.
Clearly Define the Disability Inclusion Problem
A proposal should clearly explain the specific challenge affecting persons with disabilities within the participating institutions.
Rather than describing disability inclusion generally, the partnership should demonstrate an understanding of the particular barriers it intends to address.
Demonstrate the Need for the Partnership
The proposal should explain why collaboration between the UK institution and international partner is valuable.
Applicants should demonstrate how international knowledge exchange, comparative experience, expertise, or collaborative learning can contribute to the proposed institutional change.
Focus on Institutional Change
The programme is intended to strengthen institutional systems, policies, practices, and capacity.
Projects should therefore demonstrate how their activities can contribute to changes that extend beyond individual beneficiaries or short-term interventions.
Include Persons with Disabilities in the Process
Given the programme’s emphasis on voice and agency, applicants should consider meaningful ways of involving disabled people in the design, implementation, evaluation, and decision-making processes of the project.
Consider Sustainability
A strong project should explain what happens after the 17-month funding period.
Applicants should consider how successful policies, practices, evidence, partnerships, or institutional mechanisms can continue after the grant ends.
Consider External Stakeholders
Where appropriate, institutions should consider how collaboration with organisations of disabled people, employers, civil society, and other stakeholders could strengthen project outcomes.
This can help connect disability inclusion within higher education to broader participation, employment, and social outcomes.
Application Documents
Applicants should consult the programme materials provided for the 2026 call.
The available documents include:
- Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026: Call Guidance
- Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026: Reference Application Form — provided for reference and not for submission
- Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026: Sample Grant Agreement
These documents should be reviewed carefully before an application is prepared.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Disability inclusion in higher education requires more than providing individual accommodations. Institutions may need to examine policies, infrastructure, teaching and learning practices, research environments, governance, student services, staff support, and institutional culture.
The Disability Inclusion Partnerships programme provides a framework for institutions to address these issues collaboratively.
The international nature of the programme also creates opportunities for higher education institutions to learn from different approaches to accessibility and inclusion.
For participating institutions, the potential value extends beyond the grant itself. Partnerships can contribute to:
- Institutional capacity building
- Policy improvement
- International knowledge exchange
- Evidence generation
- Accessibility improvements
- Stronger stakeholder engagement
- Greater participation of persons with disabilities
- More inclusive institutional decision-making
- Long-term organisational change
Visit HERE to learn more about the Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026.
Important Information for Kenyan Institutions
Kenya is one of the 10 countries eligible to participate in the 2026 programme.
Kenyan higher education institutions that meet the applicable eligibility requirements can therefore explore partnerships with eligible UK higher education institutions.
However, Kenyan institutions should review the country-specific requirements in the Call Guidance before assuming eligibility.
A potential Kenyan-UK partnership should also ensure that the proposed project addresses a clearly defined disability inclusion challenge within higher education and demonstrates how collaboration can produce sustainable institutional improvements.
Key Dates to Remember
- 20 July 2026: Programme publication date
- 11 September 2026: Clarification deadline
- 21 September 2026: Final application deadline
- 21 September 2026, 11:00 a.m. BST: Final submission time
- 1 January 2027: Expected project start
- 17 months: Project duration
Contact Information
Applicants requiring clarification about the Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 programme can contact:
Email: goingglobalpartnerships-DIP@britishcouncil.org
Questions should be submitted by the 11 September 2026 clarification deadline.
Conclusion
The Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 programme provides an important funding opportunity for higher education institutions seeking to strengthen disability inclusion through international collaboration.
With grants of up to £25,000, the programme supports partnerships between eligible UK higher education institutions and institutions in Bangladesh, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The programme goes beyond short-term disability support by focusing on institutional policies, systems, governance, accessibility, evidence, stakeholder engagement, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making.
Eligible institutions interested in participating should begin partnership discussions early, carefully review the country-specific eligibility requirements, jointly develop their project proposal, and allow sufficient time for institutional approvals and online submission.
The final deadline is 21 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m. BST, while clarification questions must be submitted by 11 September 2026.
For institutions committed to creating more accessible and inclusive higher education systems, this programme offers an opportunity to turn international collaboration into practical and sustainable institutional change.
For more global grant opportunities visit OFY HERE
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