Internal, open access

External Fellowships

Information about selected external fellowships available to Research staff is provided here. An indication of approximate closing dates for the schemes is given, but accurate closing dates and further information about the schemes can be found by following the links to the funders' websites provided below. A calendar of deadlines is also provided on Latest news - Deadlines Calendar and Funding guides. Applicants can also carry out their own customised searches for additional funding opportunities using the online database, Research Professional Online, which is available to all staff and students at the University of Reading. Research Professional can be accessed from any University computer (which requires no password) or via a personal account sign in.

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Fellowships - Standard
This scheme provides salary and associated costs for periods of six to eighteen months, to enable an individual researcher to work on a specified research project or programme. Proposals with a full economic cost of between £50,000 and £250,000 may be submitted.

Closing date
The Fellowships scheme does not operate under fixed deadlines. You may submit a proposal at any point during the year. Please note that the assessment process for applications submitted to the Fellowships scheme takes approximately 30 weeks and the earliest start date for a project should be no earlier than 9 months after submission to the AHRC.

Research grants - early career
This scheme provides salary and associated costs for periods of six to eighteen months, to enable an early career researcher to work on a specified research project or programme. The scheme is designed to build the capabilities of the leaders of the future and equip individuals who have outstanding potential to develop the range of qualities they require to lead research agendas in the 21st century. Proposals with a full economic cost of between £50,000 and £250,000 may be submitted.

Closing date
Proposals may be submitted at any point during the year. Please note that the assessment process for applications submitted to the Fellowships scheme takes approximately 30 weeks and the earliest start date for a project should be no earlier than 9 months after submission to the AHRC.

Back to Top

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 

David Phillips Fellowships
These support scientists who have demonstrated high potential and who wish to establish themselves as independent researchers. Proposals may be in any area relevant to BBSRC's strategic priorities. Applicants should have no less than three years of postdoctoral research experience, but no more than 10 years of postgraduate experience. Up to five fellowships are available per annum. They provide a personal salary and a research support grant for five years.

Closing date
Usually September

BBSRC/FSA Early Career Fellowships
These support early-career researchers in areas of science that are of strategic and scientific interest and importance to both the BBSRC and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA particularly encourages proposals that can demonstrate potential for significant leaps forward in providing evidence to underpin its objective of safer food for the nation. Applicants should have between three and 10 years of active postgraduate research experience.

Closing date
Usually September

Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC)

Scientific fellowships (non-clinical)

Campaign scientific fellowships provide an excellent early career development opportunity for postdoctoral scientists to become independent researchers specialising in the breast cancer field and to undertake research of the highest quality. Applicants should have conducted independent research in the field of breast cancer and wish to build on their history and reputation in this arena, deepening their knowledge and experience. Candidates will be expected to have a significant publication record in their chosen field. Up to £550,000 is available for five years.

Closing date
Usually December or January

British Academy

Postdoctoral Fellowships
These awards are aimed at offering opportunities for outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment which will develop their curriculum vitae and improve their prospects of obtaining permanent lecturing posts by the end of the Fellowship. The primary emphasis is on completion of a significant piece of publishable research, which will be assisted by full membership of an academic community of established scholars working in similar fields.

Closing date
Usually October

British Heart Foundation (BHF)

Career re-entry research fellowship

These awards provide an opportunity to re-establish a career in cardiovascular science in an established research institution in the UK, after a break of more than two years. Residency requirements apply - see BHF website.

There is no closing date
Applications may be submitted at any time and receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours. BHF will advise you when you can expect the result.

Immediate Postdoctoral Basic Science Research Fellowship
These awards provide an opportunity for the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers to make an early start in developing their independent cardiovascular research careers in an established institution in the UK. Candidates should be in the final year of their PhD studies or have no more than one year of postdoctoral research experience from the date of the PhD viva, and must be able to show, by publications or otherwise, evidence of exceptional research ability. The fellowship will not usually be held in the institution where the PhD was carried out. Residency requirements apply - see BHF website.

There is no closing date
Applications may be submitted at any time

Intermediate basic science research fellowship
These awards provide a career opportunity for talented individuals hoping to become research leaders in an established research institution in the UK. Applicants must usually have completed 3-6 years successful postdoctoral work with a series of first or senior author high impact research papers. Residency requirements apply- see BHF website.

There is no closing date
Applications may be submitted at any time

Back to Top

Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

Career Establishment Award

These awards provide five years of funding to enable new, non-clinical and clinical investigators who have just taken up their first Higher Education Funding Council-funded post at a UK university to establish their own research group. Funds for one junior postdoctoral position and one research assistant or technician, as well as running expenses that may include a supplement for the applicant's own bench costs may be requested. A separate amount can be requested for equipment. Applicants must be within three years of the start of their first academic post at the time of application.

Closing date
Usually July for preliminary applications and November for invited, full applications

Career development fellowships
This Fellowship supports outstanding non-clinical scientists at the start of their independent careers. Fellows will have shown special promise in their initial studies in a cancer-relevant research field, but may not yet have sufficient experience or the track record to obtain a more senior fellowship. The Fellowship provides the opportunity to set up an independent research group for the first time. Applicants for this scheme should have between three and eight years postdoctoral research experience since the date of their viva.

Closing date
Usually July for preliminary applications and November for invited, full applications

Daphne Jackson Trust

Fellowships
A Daphne Jackson Fellowship is a unique fellowship designed to return scientists, engineers and technologists to their careers after a break. Fellowships are normally undertaken on a part-time basis in a university or research establishment in the UK. They are flexible and include a tailored training programme designed to update the skills and knowledge of the Fellow thus allowing them to return at the appropriate level to their career. The Fellowship is normally part-time for two years and the Fellow is paid a salary, with a small additional allowance for expenses such as conference attendance.

Closing date
No deadline for enquiries. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a preliminary application.

Back to Top

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Fellowships
These aim to develop the next generation of researchers with the greatest potential across different career stages. The following levels of fellowship and subject areas are available for new and early career researchers:

  • postdoctoral fellowships in physical sciences, mathematical sciences, energy and healthcare technologies;
  • early-career fellowships in digital economy, engineering, manufacturing the future, physical sciences, mathematical sciences, ICT, energy, healthcare technologies and living with environmental change.

Applicants are expected to hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience.

No closing date

Back to Top

Leverhulme Trust

Early Career Fellowships
These fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers but with a proven record of research. It is anticipated that the Fellowship will lead to a more permanent academic position. Applications are welcomed in any discipline. Fellowships are normally tenable for three years on a full-time basis, but requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period will be considered.

Closing date
Usually February or March

 

Research fellowships

Research Fellowships are open to experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. There are no restrictions on academic discipline, and awards are not limited to those holding appointments in higher education.

Closing date
Usually November

Back to Top

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Career Development Award
This award provides up to five years' support for outstanding post-doctoral researchers who wish to consolidate their research skills and make the transition from post-doctoral research trainee to independent investigator. Applicants should have a PhD or DPhil and have at least three years and no more than six years' post-doctoral experience at the time of application deadline.

Closing date
Usually in February and October

Methodology Research Fellowship

This fellowship is an intermediate level fellowship aimed at developing the next generation of research leaders who will advance the development and application of innovative methodologies in the context of challenging biomedical and health research problems. The scheme provides a significant career development opportunity for postdoctoral researchers for a period of concentrated methods research activity and development. Science and social science graduates should hold a PhD or DPhil in a relevant discipline and have between 3-6 years post-doctoral experience at the time they take up the award. Applicants who hold a relevant research-orientated Masters degree and have carried out appropriate post-graduate work will also be considered.

Closing date
Usually September

 

Population Health Scientist Fellowship

This fellowship commonly provides three years of support for research and specific training for outstanding postdoctoral researchers and clinical scientists, including specialist trainees, general practitioners, dentists, nurses, midwives and members of the allied health professions. Science graduate applicants should hold a PhD or DPhil in a relevant discipline or expect to do so by the time they take up the award with no more than four years post PhD research experience at the time of application deadline. Applicants who have a research-oriented Masters degree with three or more years of relevant postgraduate experience that can contribute to their development as researchers will also be considered. To be appropriate for this scheme, applications should be seeking to apply health economics or biostatics to a population health research question. Applications that seek to develop novel statistical methods or to apply econometric methods to health research more widely should consider the MRC Career development award in biostatistics or the MRC Early career fellowship in economics of health.

Closing date
Usually September

 

Career Development Award in Biostatistics

This fellowship aims to support outstanding individuals who have recently completed their PhDs and who are working in -or seeking to move into - statistically based, health-related research. It provides up to four years of support for the development and investigation of innovative statistical methods and their application in health research. Applicants should either hold, or expect to receive before the award starts, a doctorate in statistics, biostatistics or a related discipline and less than four years post-doctoral experience. Candidates without medical statistical experience are welcome to apply; however, they are encouraged to specify a training package appropriate to the aims of this fellowship.

Closing date
Usually September

Special Training Fellowship in Biomedical Informatics
This special fellowship is awarded at the post-doctoral entry level only and all proposals must include a well-specified formal training element in addition to a research project. The award commonly provides 3 years support and the opportunity to enhance the research training through placement in an overseas research centre, a second UK research centre or in UK industry. The fellowships are aimed at those with non-biological, biological, non-clinical or clinical backgrounds who wish to undertake training and research in biomedical informatics. This is a prestigious fellowship; therefore applicants are expected to demonstrate an excellent track-record relative to their time in research. Applicants should hold either a PhD or DPhil in a relevant discipline or expect to do so by the time they intend to take up the award.

Closing date
Usually September

Back to Top

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

NERC Independent Research Fellowship (IRFs)

NERC Council has decided to streamline the provision of responsive mode Fellowships into a single scheme - the NERC Independent Research Fellowships (IRFs) - that will replace the previous schemes (Postdoctoral Fellowships and Advanced Fellowships). NERC IRFs are open to any nationality, and may be held in any area of the NERC remit. Applicants may not have a permanent academic position in a university or equivalent organisation and must expect to submit their PhD thesis before the fellowship interview would take place. Applicants may have up to a maximum of eight years of full-time postdoctoral research experience between the PhD certificate date and the closing date of the fellowship competition.

Closing date
Usually beginning of November

Back to Top

Royal Society (RS)

University Research Fellowships 

This scheme is for outstanding scientists in the UK who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their field. The scheme provides 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.

The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine and any researcher addressing a direct biomedical research question. Applicants must have a PhD (applicants who have just submitted their PhD will not be considered) and be in the early stages of their research career (between 3 to 8 years of research experience since their PhD).

Closing date
Usually September

Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships

This scheme is for excellent scientists in the UK at an early stage of their research career who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances such as parenting or caring responsibilities or health issues. Female candidates are particularly invited to apply. The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a current need for flexible support due to personal circumstances at the time of application.

This can include current parenting or caring responsibilities (such as raising children or looking after ageing or seriously ill family members), clinically diagnosed health issues or other personal circumstances that create a need for a flexible working pattern. Applicants must also be at an early stage of their research career (have completed their PhD but have no more than 6 years of research experience post PhD).

Closing date
Usually January

 

Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
For outstanding post-doctoral scientists wishing to build their own UK-based, independent research career addressing an important biomedical question. The scheme supports research ranging from the molecules and cells vital to life and their role in the global spread of disease, to clinical and public health research seeking to improve the quality of healthcare. It can be based in the laboratory, clinic or field, and may involve experimental or theoretical approaches. This Fellowship brings together the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust, two of the world's most prestigious and influential scientific organisations, in their shared commitment to supporting the future leaders of biomedical research. The scheme seeks to support individuals who would have previously applied for a 'biomedical' Royal Society University Research Fellowship or a Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship hosted by a UK academic organisation. Applicants are expected to have relevant scientific or mathematical qualifications and, at the final decision point (i.e. at interview), be no more than seven years from the date of their PhD viva.

Closing date
Deadline for preliminary applications usually March and September

Newton International Fellowships

This scheme is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK. The scheme provides the opportunity for the best early stage post-doctoral researchers from all over the world to work at UK research institutions for a period of two years. The scheme covers the broad range of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. The scheme is jointly run by The British Academy and the Royal Society.

Closing date
Usually April


Back to Top

Wellcome Trust

Sir Henry Wellcome postdoctoral fellowships

This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers to make an early start in developing their independent research careers, working in the best laboratories in the UK and overseas. Candidates will be expected to identify an important biomedical research question and to develop and deliver a personal programme to achieve their research aims. Applicants must be in the final year of their PhD studies or have no more than one year of postdoctoral research experience from the date of the PhD viva to the full application submission deadline.

Closing date
Deadline for preliminary applications usually April and November

 

Career Re-entry Fellowships

This scheme is for postdoctoral scientists who have recently decided to recommence a scientific research career after a continuous break of at least two years. It gives such scientists the opportunity to return to high-quality research, with the potential to undertake refresher or further training. Applicants should have at least two years' postdoctoral experience, have had a continuous career break of at least two years, and should have either a strong research track record (if applying for up to four years' support) or demonstrated the potential for a strong research career prior to your break (if applying for two years' support).

Closing date
Deadline for preliminary applications usually April and November

 

Senior Research Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Science

This scheme provides support for outstanding postdoctoral scientists based in academic institutions in the UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI). Candidates are expected to have an excellent track record in their scientific field and be able to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research. Applicants should have between five and normally ten years' research experience (from the date of the viva to the date of the preliminary application) at postdoctoral level, and have a substantial record of publications in the chosen area of research in leading international journals.

Closing date
Deadline for preliminary applications usually July, September and December

Back to Top

Things to do now

See other funding opportunities:

Contact us

Research and Enterprise Development

Anne-Marie van Dodeweerd

 

Page navigation

See also

 

Search Form

A-Z lists