Royal Society University Research Fellowships Open to Applications

The Royal Society’s University Research Fellowship (URF) scheme aims to provide outstanding early career scientists, who are based in UK but not currently in permanent posts, with the opportunity to build an independent research career. Those appointed are expected to be strong candidates for permanent posts in universities at the end of their fellowships.

Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes, but is not limited to, biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

Eligible applicants must:

Have a PhD.

Be in the early stages of their research career, with between three and eight years of research experience since their PhD by the closing date of the round.

Not hold a permanent post in a university or not-for-profit organisation.

Not hold or previously have held a nationally competitive fellowship that provides an opportunity to establish an independent research group and therefore independent researcher status.

Fellowships must be held in a UK university or not-for-profit research organisation (including Research Council Institutes).

The initiative is open to applicants of all nationalities. Under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Up to 30 awards will be made in this round. Each award will cover 80% of the research fellow’s salary costs, directly allocated costs (including estate costs) and indirect costs under the full economic costing model. It is expected that the requested basic salary for the first year will be comparable to academic staff at an equivalent career stage such as an early stage lecturer, up to a maximum of £41,000 per annum.

There will also be a contribution to research expenses (£13,000 in year one and £11,000 thereafter). Initially, funding is provided for five years, with the opportunity to renew the fellowship for a further three years subject to satisfactory progress. Fellowships start from 1 October 2021.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 3 September 2020 (3pm).

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.