The British Council has launched a program for universities in Uzbekistan.

The British Council has announced a call for applications for the Disability Inclusion Partnerships 2026 programme, designed for higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. According to the British Council, the initiative provides up to £25,000 for joint projects between UK and Uzbek universities aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the higher education system.

The programme is designed to stimulate both research and practical measures to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in higher education. Under this initiative, UK universities that meet the established criteria will collaborate with partner organisations from ten participating countries, including Uzbekistan.

Program participants will be tasked with identifying existing barriers for people with disabilities and developing effective, long-term solutions to address them. Each partnership can receive up to £25,000 to implement their project.

The application must be jointly developed by a UK university and a university in Uzbekistan. The UK institution acts as the lead applicant and must have degree-awarding powers. The Uzbek university must also meet the requirements outlined in the program guidelines.

Funding can be used for research, needs analysis, applied research, development of teaching materials, and training for managers, staff, and students on disability and inclusion. However, program funds cannot be used to purchase technology or equipment.

Projects will last 17 months, commencing January 1, 2027.

Joint applications are submitted by leading UK institutions through the Good Grants platform. Questions regarding the competition terms and conditions can be submitted until September 11, 2026.

The deadline for applications is September 21, 2026, 11:00 BST.

The British Council emphasizes that this program is part of its work to support the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people, representing approximately 15% of the world's population, live with significant disabilities.

The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and education. It develops its activities in the fields of arts and culture, education, and the English language, working with people in over 200 countries and territories. In 2024–2025, its audience reached 600 million people.