2026-27 Going Global Partnerships TNE Grant Program (UK and India)

The Going Global Partnership Transnational Education (TNE) Grant 2026-27 supports UK and India higher education institutions and industry partners in developing and launching innovative joint courses or degree programmes in emerging disciplines. The grant aims to strengthen international education partnerships, address global challenges, and improve industry engagement in higher education.

Eligible partnerships can receive up to £30,000 per project for a 17-month implementation period starting in October 2026. Applications must include a UK higher education institution, an Indian higher education institution, and an industry partner from either country.

About the Going Global Partnership TNE Grant

The Going Global Partnership TNE Grant is designed to support collaboration between higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and India to create innovative transnational education opportunities.

The programme encourages institutions to jointly develop and launch courses or degree programmes in emerging disciplines that respond to:

• Societal challenges.
• Economic development needs.
• Environmental priorities.
• Future workforce requirements.
• Industry demands.

The initiative promotes internationalisation of higher education and strengthens partnerships between academia and industry.

Purpose of the TNE Grant Programme

The main purpose of the grant is to support the creation of high-quality transnational education programmes through UK-India collaboration.

The programme aims to:

• Develop innovative academic programmes.
• Strengthen international education partnerships.
• Improve industry participation in curriculum development.
• Address emerging global challenges.
• Increase opportunities for students through international learning models.
• Build long-term cooperation between UK and Indian institutions.

Priority Areas and Emerging Disciplines

The grant supports projects focused on emerging fields that address future challenges.

Priority areas may include:

• New technologies.
• Sustainable development.
• Climate and environmental solutions.
• Digital transformation.
• Future skills development.
• Industry-focused education models.

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed programme responds to current and future societal, economic, or environmental needs.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications must be submitted through a partnership consisting of:

• One lead institution from the United Kingdom.
• One lead institution from India.
• One industry partner from either the UK or India.

UK Lead Institution Requirements

The UK lead institution must:

• Be a recognised higher education provider.
• Have degree-awarding powers.
• Submit the application on behalf of the partnership.
• Coordinate project implementation.

Indian Higher Education Partner Requirements

The Indian partner institution must:

• Participate actively in developing the proposed programme.
• Contribute expertise and resources.
• Support implementation and long-term sustainability.

Industry Partner Requirements

The industry partner should:

• Contribute industry knowledge.
• Support curriculum relevance.
• Help connect education with employment opportunities.

For-profit non-education organisations can participate but are only eligible to receive funding for travel-related expenses.

Additional Project Partners

Projects may also include associated partners such as:

• Research institutions.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Government bodies.
• Other relevant stakeholders.

These partners can contribute expertise and support project outcomes.

Funding Details

The grant provides:

• Maximum funding: £30,000 per project.
• Approximate value: $38,100.
• Project duration: 17 months.
• Start period: October 2026.

Funding supports activities required to develop and launch the transnational education programme.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funding can support:

• International travel.
• Accommodation costs.
• Essential equipment.
• Consultancy services.
• Project development activities.
• Partnership coordination activities.

Certain limits apply to:

• Staff costs.
• External expertise.
• Travel expenses.

Applicants should ensure that all proposed costs are directly connected to project delivery.

Matching Funding Requirements

Matching funds are:

• Encouraged but not mandatory.
• Expected to demonstrate institutional commitment.
• Useful for strengthening project sustainability.

The grant does not require applicants to provide mandatory financial contributions.

How the Grant Works

The programme follows a collaborative development approach.

Step 1: Build the Partnership

Applicants must establish a partnership including:

• UK higher education institution.
• Indian higher education institution.
• Industry partner.

All partners should agree on project objectives and responsibilities.

Step 2: Develop the Proposal

The proposal should explain:

• The planned course or degree programme.
• The emerging discipline being addressed.
• The role of each partner.
• Expected outcomes.
• Long-term sustainability plans.

Step 3: Submit the Application

The UK lead institution must:

• Prepare the final application.
• Upload supporting documents.
• Submit through the Good Grants online platform.

Step 4: Project Implementation

Successful projects will:

• Develop course structures.
• Engage industry partners.
• Complete required activities.
• Prepare strategies for programme continuation.

Application Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• Detailed project proposal.
• Partnership information.
• Budget breakdown.
• Implementation plan.
• Expected outcomes.
• Sustainability strategy.
• Dissemination plan.

Applications should clearly demonstrate:

• Alignment with grant objectives.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Value for money.
• Long-term impact.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Quality of the partnership.
• Innovation of the proposed programme.
• Relevance to emerging disciplines.
• Industry involvement.
• Feasibility of implementation.
• Financial planning.
• Potential long-term impact.

Strong proposals will demonstrate clear benefits for students, institutions, industries, and wider communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without all required partnership members.
• Submitting proposals without industry involvement.
• Creating programmes without clear market relevance.
• Providing unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to explain long-term sustainability.
• Ignoring regulatory requirements.

Tips for a stronger application:

• Clearly define each partner’s contribution.
• Demonstrate demand for the proposed programme.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Highlight employment and industry benefits.
• Provide a realistic implementation timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Going Global Partnership TNE Grant?
It is a funding opportunity supporting UK and India higher education institutions and industry partners to develop joint transnational education programmes.

Who must be included in the partnership?
Each application must include one UK higher education institution, one Indian higher education institution, and one industry partner.

How much funding is available?
Projects can receive up to £30,000 for a 17-month period.

Who submits the application?
The UK lead higher education institution must submit the application on behalf of the partnership.

Are matching funds required?
No, matching funds are not mandatory, but they are encouraged.

Can NGOs or government organisations participate?
Yes, research institutions, NGOs, and government bodies may participate as associated partners.

What types of projects are supported?
Projects developing innovative degree programmes or courses in emerging disciplines that address societal, economic, or environmental challenges are supported.

Conclusion

The Going Global Partnership TNE Grant provides an opportunity for UK and Indian higher education institutions to collaborate with industry partners in developing future-focused education programmes. By supporting innovative transnational courses, the grant strengthens international cooperation, improves industry engagement, and helps prepare students for emerging global challenges.