We would like to inform you that the call for applications has been closed. We sincerely thank all those who participated and showed interest in this initiative.
Awarded projects
Nine UK-Mexico institutional projects were awarded by the British Council for its implementation in 2026:
| Project | UK Leading Institution | Mexican Partner(s) | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fostering interdisciplinary long-term UK–Mexico partnerships in higher education: Sustainable Development, Energy and Human Rights | University of Strathclyde | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | Design one institutional strategy for UK-Mexico TNE collaboration. Course mapping for one joint interdisciplinary diploma in energy law. |
| Nurturing the global HE ecosystem: Connecting TNE, microcredentials and sustainability for scalable UK-Mexico partnerships | University of Portsmouth |
FLACSO |
Generate one network of HE institutions to benefit from trainings on internationalisation. Pilot one micro-credential on research methods. |
| Green Global: Binational Microcredentials and Competency Recognition for Climate Leadership | Queen Mary, University of London | Universidad de Colima | Joint development of one bilingual micro-credential in climate leadership. Reciprocal academic exchange visits and one UK-Mexico policy dialogue on micro-credentials. |
| DRIvE- Design, Research, and Innovation via Exchange: for inclusive and diverse futures | Northumbria University | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | Development of one collaborative framework to inform training in TNE methodologies and quality assurance requirements for dual degree agreements. |
| Pursuing International Collaboration through Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Education | University of Birmingham | Universidad Iberoamericana | Co-teaching through online postgraduate modules, enabling research and UK-Mexico collaborations in social sciences and humanities. |
| Digital Transformation for Young Professionals in Latin America: Online Training Programme | Cardiff University | Universidad Anáhuac Mayab | Joint curriculum development for free online training programme and courses on AI, cyber and digital transformation. |
| STEM Connect: Building Transnational Education Bridges between UDEM and ManMet | Manchester Metropolitan University | Manchester Metropolitan University | Curriculum mapping for TNE pathways in biomedical engineering and neurosciences. COIL development and roadmap for implementation. |
| Strengthening Systems to Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Higher Education Institutions in Coahuila, Mexico | University of the West of England | Universidad Tecnológica de Saltillo (UTS) Government of the State of Coahuila |
Support institutional capacity in Coahuila for internationalisation, including self-assessment workshop, capacity building activities, one strategic toolkit co-development lab, and one UK-Mexico policy dialogue/forum. |
| Sustainable Futures: Transnational Education on Environmental Law and the Social Economy | University of Essex | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) | Co-design of an interdisciplinary curriculum for a 2-weeks hybrid summer school, culminating with one public event on law and sustainability. |
About the Grant Call
The Higher Education (HE) Connects 2025 call aims to build institutional collaborations and long-term UK-Mexico relationships to accelerate activities for the internationalisation of the higher education sector. This initiative is part of the Going Global Partnerships programme and support:
- Institutional collaborations for the formalisation of internationalisation agreements.
- Communities of practice for understanding HE qualification recognition, national regulatory frameworks, and quality assurance processes.
- Transnational Education (TNE), encompassing various delivery models like distance learning, international campuses, and micro/nano credentials.
- Inclusive HE systems, addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion, and supporting women's leadership in STEM.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, proposals must include:
- One UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) Lead with degree awarding powers.
- One Mexican HEI Partner.
- Joint proposal preparation by leads from both institutions, submitted by the UK Lead.
- Support letters from both institutions confirming capacity to manage and support the project.
Projects should aim to:
- Promote TNE partnerships and joint curricula.
- Design or strengthen internationalisation strategies.
- Expand capacity at HEIs for internationalisation.
- Identify roles and responsibilities for joint teaching/academic offers.
- Conduct thematic panels and events for science cooperation and policy dialogues.
- New or updated institutional strategies for HE internationalisation.
- Reports assessing institutional capacity/resources for internationalisation.
- Analysis of pathways for internationalisation and policy dialogues.
- Specific UK-Mexico joint teaching or collaboration programmes.
Funding
- Supports up to 5 projects of £20k maximum each.
- Project duration: 12 months starting from January 2026.
- Equitable partnership: UK Lead to transfer funds to Mexican partner for project activities.
For any queries, please reach out to: Monica.Angulo@britishcouncil.org
