If you are interested in the Royal Society University Research Fellowship, you are in the right place. As you read through, we will enlighten you on everything there is to know about the Royal Society University Research Fellowship.
Royal Society University Research Fellowship
This program is designed for exceptional scientists who are in the early phases of their research careers and have the potential to emerge as leaders in their respective fields.
These extended fellowships provide the opportunity and autonomy to establish an independent research career in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland and pursue cutting-edge scientific investigations.
Please be aware that the funding guidelines for the University Research Fellowships 2024 have been reviewed and revised. It is advisable to refer to the most recent version of the scheme notes (PDF), updated as of August 3, 2023.
As part of the Royal Society’s broader adjustments to our financial policy, applicants are now allowed to seek a maximum award amount spread over eight years (£1.83 million for the 2023-2024 cycle).
The previous maximum limits for salary contributions and research expenses have been eliminated, and moving forward, there will be an overall maximum grant value within which applicants must operate.
This scheme offers you the following benefits:
1. The opportunity to establish an independent research career.
2. The freedom, time, and long-term flexible support to pursue high-quality and innovative scientific research.
3. Support for your development as a research leader, including tailored professional development, networking opportunities, and engagement activities of high quality.
4. Flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances, including part-time work, sabbaticals, and secondments. There are also provisions for maternity, paternity, adoption, or extended sick leave.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply for this program if you:
1. Possess between three and eight years of research experience since earning your Ph.D. as of the closing date of the current application round. Please note that career breaks are considered, and additional details can be found in the scheme notes.
2. Do not hold a permanent position, including proleptic or rolling employment contracts, at a university or nonprofit research institution.
3. Have not held, or currently hold, a fellowship of a similar nature that offers the opportunity to establish an independent research group and attain independent researcher status.
4. Prior to submitting your application, it is essential to confirm that you meet all the specified eligibility criteria outlined in the scheme notes.
Royal Society University Research Fellowship Value
Applicants can seek funding of up to a maximum of £1.83 million, which can be utilized over a span of eight years.
The funds can be allocated for the following purposes:
1. Contribution to the salary of the award recipient.
2. 80% of the award recipient’s indirect and estate costs.
3. Expenses related to equipment, research, consumables, travel, and other relevant costs, which will be fully covered.
4. An 80% contribution towards the salary of research assistants, along with associated indirect and estate costs.
5. Support for new four-year PhD studentships.
6. Relocation and visa expenses for the applicant and their dependents, including partners and children. The total grant limit can be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if adequately justified in the application.
7. Appointments are initially granted for an eight-year period. However, confirmation of funding for years 6 and 8 is contingent upon the successful completion of a mid-fellowship checkpoint review at the beginning of year 4.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted using the Society’s grant management system, Flexi-Grant®.
Your application will follow the process outlined on the ‘Making a grant application’ page, which is overseen by one of our five research appointment panels, each aligned with specific research areas:
1. Astronomy, cosmology, physics, earth sciences, environmental physical sciences, and geosciences.
2. Chemistry and engineering.
3. Pure and applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, communications, and computer engineering, including mathematical aspects of astronomy, physics, cosmology, gravitation, and theoretical physics.
4. Molecular and cellular biology, zoology, plant sciences, and physiology.
5. Biomedical Sciences.
Interviews for selected candidates will be conducted in April 2024 at the Royal Society, and it is advisable to keep this timeframe free. Applicants will be informed of the application outcome by the end of May 2024.
The Royal Society acknowledges the importance of diversity in advancing excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Society actively encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to enhance innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity.
Application Deadline
This program is currently not accepting any more applications.
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