Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship 2027

The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship 2027 offers an opportunity for outstanding early career researchers to establish independent research careers in the United Kingdom. The fellowship supports scientists with strong research ideas who are ready to develop their own research programmes while requiring flexible working arrangements because of personal circumstances.

Organised by the Royal Society, the fellowship is designed to help talented researchers progress towards research leadership. It provides long term financial support, opportunities to pursue innovative scientific questions, and professional development that can help fellows build independent research groups at UK universities and research institutions.

The programme is particularly relevant to researchers whose personal circumstances create an ongoing need for flexibility in their working arrangements. Examples include individuals with caring responsibilities or a clinically diagnosed health condition. The fellowship recognises that researchers should be able to pursue ambitious scientific careers while managing circumstances that affect their working patterns.

About the Opportunity

The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship is a research career development scheme established to help outstanding scientists build independent research careers while receiving the flexibility they need to manage personal circumstances. It is intended for researchers at an early stage of their postdoctoral careers who have the potential to become leaders in their scientific fields.

The fellowship gives successful applicants the opportunity to develop and pursue their own research programmes at a UK university or research institution. Rather than focusing only on short term research outputs, the programme provides a longer period of support to help researchers establish a clear scientific direction, strengthen their research independence and develop leadership skills.

Research proposals must fall within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences. Supported areas include biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. Applicants should check the Society’s full list of supported subjects before preparing their proposals.

An important feature of the fellowship is its flexibility. Researchers may need part time working arrangements or extended periods of leave because of health or caring responsibilities. The programme aims to accommodate these circumstances while enabling fellows to continue building their research careers.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants may receive the following benefits:

• Funding of up to £1,907,400 over a maximum of eight years.

• Support to establish and develop an independent research programme.

• Freedom to pursue innovative scientific questions within the Royal Society’s research remit.

• Flexibility to accommodate relevant personal circumstances, including part time working where appropriate.

• Support for extended leave periods related to health or caring responsibilities, subject to the fellowship conditions.

• Tailored career development opportunities.

• Mentoring and professional engagement activities.

• Access to a community of research fellows.

• Opportunities to develop professional networks and strengthen research leadership skills.

Research Areas

The fellowship supports proposals within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit. Relevant areas include:

• Biological sciences.

• Chemistry.

• Engineering.

• Mathematics.

• Physics.

• Other eligible areas of natural science recognised by the Royal Society.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the fellowship’s eligibility conditions, including the requirement for an ongoing need for flexible support.

• Applicants must be at an early stage of their postdoctoral research career.

• Candidates must have completed a PhD or have no more than six years of actual research experience since completing their PhD by the application deadline. Career breaks and part time research experience are taken into account under the scheme rules.

• Applicants must demonstrate a current and ongoing need for flexibility because of personal circumstances. Examples include primary caring responsibilities or a clinically diagnosed health condition.

• Candidates must not hold a permanent position, including a proleptic position, at a university or not for profit research organisation.

• Applicants must not currently hold or previously have held an equivalent fellowship that provides the opportunity to establish an independent research group.

• Proposed research must fall within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences.

• Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply.

• Candidates must be prepared to undertake the fellowship at an eligible UK university or research institution.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should consult the official scheme notes and online application form for the complete requirements. The fellowship application includes the research proposal and associated funding information.

Candidates should prepare to provide:

• A research proposal explaining the scientific question, objectives and planned research.

• A research plan that demonstrates the potential to develop an independent research programme.

• Proposed fellowship costs covering the planned eight year period.

• Information requested through the Royal Society’s Flexi Grant application system.

• Any supporting information required by the official scheme guidance.

Applicants should explain their research plans clearly and ensure that the proposed work falls within the Society’s supported subject areas. Information about the personal circumstances creating a need for flexible support should be provided through the designated section of the application form. The Royal Society advises applicants not to include this information in their personal statement.

Selection Criteria

Applications are checked for eligibility by the Royal Society Grants team and assessed by the Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships Selection Committee.

The assessment process begins with reviews by panel members whose scientific expertise is relevant to the proposed research. A longlist is then developed, and shortlisted applications may proceed to independent peer review. The selection panel considers the reviews before deciding which candidates to invite for interview.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate the quality and originality of their research ideas, their potential to develop an independent research career, and the suitability of their proposed work for the fellowship.

How to Apply

1. Review the official fellowship guidance. Visit the Royal Society website and read the Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship scheme notes and funding guidance carefully.
2. Confirm your eligibility. Check your postdoctoral experience, employment status, research area and ongoing need for flexible support.
3. Develop your research proposal. Prepare a clear plan that explains your scientific objectives and how the fellowship would support your development as an independent researcher.
4. Prepare the funding information. Review the scheme’s cost requirements and prepare the proposed fellowship budget for the relevant period.
5. Complete the online application. Submit your application through the Royal Society’s Flexi Grant system, providing the information and supporting materials requested.
6. Submit before the deadline. Ensure that your application is complete and submitted by 29 October 2026.