The Royal Society invites applications for its university research fellowships. These enable early-career scientists to build an independent research career in the natural sciences. This covers all fields of natural sciences, including biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics, but excludes clinical medicine. Three additional awards are available for fellows working in areas primarily and directly relevant to global challenges faced by developing countries, supported by the Global Challenges Research Fund.
Applicants must hold a PhD and have three to eight years of research experience since obtaining their PhD. They must not hold a permanent post in a university or non-profit organisation or a nationally competitive fellowship that provides an opportunity to establish an independent research group and therefore independent researcher status. There are no nationality restrictions, but fellowships must be held at a UK university of non-profit research organisation, including research council institutes.
Fellowships are awarded for five years, but extensions may be awarded for three additional years. Awards cover 80 per cent of the fellow’s salary costs, which is up to £40,681 in the first year, research assistance as well as research expenses of up to £13,000 for the first year and up to £11,000 for every year thereafter. The society will also provide up to £40,000 in additional funding in financial year 2020-21 towards research expenses. Approximately 41 fellowships are available.