International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Joins Groundbreaking British Council Initiative to Advance Transnational Education
Cirebon, July 17, 2025 — The International Office (IO) of Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) proudly announces its participation in the Info Session for Going Global Partnerships TNE Exploratory Grant 2025, organized by the British Council. The session brought together key stakeholders from Indonesian and UK higher education institutions to explore new opportunities for transnational education collaboration. A number of important updates were shared, including funding details, eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines. As a participant, the International Office reaffirmed UINSSC’s commitment to advancing internationalization and strengthening global academic partnerships. The university views this initiative as a strategic opportunity to expand its global impact and enhance its educational offerings. At this stage, the International Office is exploring the program as a potential avenue for future collaboration, without having conducted any internal discussions yet.
The British Council’s TNE Exploratory Grant aims to support institutional partnerships that foster sustainable, high-impact transnational education initiatives. With 33 projects set to be funded at values ranging from £20,000 to £25,000, the grant encourages the development of dual degrees, articulation programs, and international branch campuses. These initiatives are designed to enhance access to quality education and promote mutual learning between UK and Indonesian institutions. The 17-month project duration, starting in January 2026, provides a focused timeline for meaningful outcomes. The grant builds on the British Council’s broader 2023 TNE strategy, which emphasizes inclusivity, innovation, and international collaboration. Through this program, the International Office of UINSSC seeks to contribute to the development of inclusive and transformative educational ecosystems. The university is currently assessing how this grant may align with its long-term internationalization goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on quality education.
The session highlighted several core objectives of the TNE Exploratory Grant, including enhancing access to relevant educational environments and increasing the effectiveness of joint teaching programs. The British Council also emphasized the importance of improving legal and policy frameworks that support internationalization. Additionally, the grant encourages the development of new curricula and teaching materials tailored for transnational contexts. It also promotes gender equality, inclusion, and equitable access for underrepresented groups in higher education. Strengthening quality assurance mechanisms is another key focus of the program. The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon recognizes the importance of these principles and is committed to integrating them into any future collaborative initiatives.
Eligibility for the grant requires that applications be jointly developed by UK and Indonesian degree-awarding institutions. However, only UK-based institutions can initiate and submit the application via the Good Grants platform. Indonesian partners can collaborate once the application has been started by the UK lead. The deadline for submissions is September 8, 2025, with results expected by the end of November 2025.
The funding structure includes an initial disbursement of 90% at the start of the project, with the remaining 10% released upon submission of a satisfactory final report. Reporting milestones include a progress report due in July 2026 and a final report one month after the project ends in June 2027. The British Council also emphasized the importance of proper financial management and accountability throughout the project cycle. All expenses must fall within the project period, and no pre-start or post-end costs can be claimed.
The British Council also outlined key assessment criteria for evaluating applications, with the highest weight given to project quality and relevance. Proposals must clearly align with the objectives of the call and offer mutual benefits to both UK and Indonesian partners. Methodology, sustainability, and value for money are also important evaluation factors. Applicants are encouraged to use SMART objectives and to demonstrate long-term impact beyond the 17-month funding period. Additional declarations on ethical considerations, environmental impact, gender equality, and alignment with the SDGs are required.
As the session concluded, participants were reminded of the upcoming deadlines and the importance of preparing thoroughly for the application process. The British Council emphasized the need for early collaboration between UK and Indonesian institutions to develop strong, well-structured proposals. By participating in this grant call, UINSSC aims to strengthen its global network and enhance its academic offerings. The university remains dedicated to fostering safe, inclusive, and transformative learning environments through international cooperation that contributes to sustainable development.
Author: Resa Diah Gayatri