Since 1998, UC MEXUS-CONACYT Collaborative Grants have provided $25,000 in funding support for one year to a team comprised of one UC researcher and one researcher from a Mexican partner institution. Each team completes a binational project in basic or applied collaborative research, instructional development, or public service and education.

In addition to the overall quality of the proposals, awards are weighted toward collaborative parity, student opportunities in research and training, and the potential for institutional or extramural support beyond the project period. Numerous awardees have used the UC MEXUS collaborative grant to develop projects that are later funded by their own institutions or by other large funding agencies.