Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027

Applications are open for the Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027, a four year postdoctoral research fellowship designed to support talented early career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. The fellowship provides research funding, mentoring, training and networking opportunities to help researchers establish successful independent research careers in the United Kingdom.

The programme is offered by the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences. The Career Development Fellowship aims to support researchers who are at the early stages of their postdoctoral careers and provide them with the resources and professional development opportunities needed to build a strong foundation for long term careers in science and engineering.

The 2027 fellowship is open to researchers from Black heritage backgrounds who meet the programme’s academic and career stage requirements. Applicants can be of any nationality, and both UK and non UK domiciled researchers can apply provided they meet the eligibility requirements and intend to conduct their research at a UK institution.

Successful applicants can receive up to £703,800 over four years. The funding can contribute towards the Research Fellow’s salary and associated costs, directly allocated costs and research expenses. Additional support can also be requested for relocation and visa costs for the Fellow and eligible dependants.

About the Fellowship

The Royal Society Career Development Fellowship is a four year postdoctoral programme created to increase opportunities for talented researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to establish research careers in UK STEM academia.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to undertake curiosity led research while receiving structured professional support. Fellows benefit from a tailored programme of mentoring, training and engagement designed to help them develop research independence, strengthen professional networks and prepare for future research leadership.

The programme is currently operating as a pilot focused on researchers from Black heritage backgrounds. The Royal Society states that the pilot may be broadened to other underrepresented groups in the future.

Fellowship Benefits

• Up to £703,800 in funding over four years

• Contribution towards the Research Fellow’s salary and associated costs

• Funding for directly allocated costs

• Research expenses covered at 100%

• Relocation costs for the Fellow

• Visa costs for the Fellow and eligible dependants

• Bespoke training and mentoring programme

• Networking and professional development opportunities

• Leadership training

• Science communication and public engagement opportunities

• Opportunities to engage with Royal Society science policy and schools programmes

• Flexible arrangements that can accommodate personal circumstances

• Support for eligible childcare costs connected with conferences, collaborative research visits and invited talks

Research Areas

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

• Biological sciences

• Biomedical sciences

• Chemistry

• Engineering

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Other areas falling within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit

Applicants should ensure that their proposed research falls within the subjects supported by the Royal Society.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must self identify as being from a Black heritage background, including mixed Black backgrounds

• Applicants must be UK nationals, or must have completed part of their undergraduate, Master’s or PhD education in the UK, or must have held a postdoctoral researcher position in the UK

• Applicants must hold a PhD or expect to have obtained a PhD by the time the fellowship funding begins

• Applicants must have less than 24 months of postdoctoral experience

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

• Applicants may be of any nationality

• Both UK and non UK domiciled researchers can apply

• Research must be conducted at a UK institution

• Applicants requiring a visa can be eligible for the Global Talent Visa fast track endorsement route

How to Apply

1. Review the Royal Society Career Development Fellowship eligibility requirements and scheme notes.
2. Confirm that your research falls within the Royal Society’s supported natural sciences areas.
3. Identify a suitable UK institution where the proposed research will be conducted.
4. Develop a strong research proposal that clearly explains the scientific importance and potential contribution of the work.
5. Prepare the required information and supporting materials in accordance with the Royal Society application guidance.
6. Submit the application through the Royal Society Flexi Grant system before the deadline.
7. If shortlisted, prepare to attend the in person interview and present the importance and scientific validity of your proposed research.