Make yourself familiar with programmes funding international cooperation.

• figure out whether regional or national programmes are open for international partners.
• European Framework Programmes, e.g., the current FP7, are usually most suitable for funding projects with European Partners.  However, they tend to have a small successful application rate. Consider, e.g., the use of FP7 “Marie Curie” programme within the “People” priority.
• FP7 programmes are usually open for “third country cooperation”, i.e., cooperation with partners outside Europe.
• consider (co-)funding by non-EU partners countries / institutions such as the World Bank, the National Science Foundation, etc..  In particular, the programmes of emerging economies tend to be open to international partners – but be aware of IPR issues.