ELIGIBILITY:

This scheme is for you if:

You have between three and eight years of research experience, excluding career breaks, since the award of your PhD by the closing date of the round; please refer to the scheme notes for further detail about the review of career breaks

You do not hold a permanent post (including proleptic appointment) in a university or not-for-profit research organization.

You do not hold, or have not previously held, an equivalent fellowship that provides an opportunity to establish an independent research group and therefore independent researcher status

Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.

Applicants can be of any nationality, and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.

Read the scheme notes or FAQs (PDF) for further information on eligibility. Those applying from Ireland (ROI) are funded by Science Foundation Ireland and will need to read the eligibility requirements in the SFI-specific scheme notes.

Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.

BENEFIT:

Applicants can apply for up to a maximum of £1.87 million over eight years. 

Funds can cover:

Contribution to the award holder’s salary

Indirect and estate costs 

Equipment costs and research expenses, including consumables, travel, etc. 

Contribution towards research assistance salary and associated indirect and estate costs 

Support for a new four-year PhD studentship(s)

Relocation and visa costs for the applicants and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded in order to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application.

Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes and in the Royal Society Funding Guidance.