Postdoctoral fellowships can be a great way for early career researchers to advance their careers, gain valuable experience, and establish themselves as independent researchers. For those looking to pursue a career in academia, postdoctoral fellowships can be particularly important as they provide an opportunity to develop research skills, build a track record of publications, and establish collaborations with other researchers. In the UK, there are a variety of postdoctoral fellowships available across a range of research areas, from social science to STEM and Biology. In this post, we will explore some of the postdoctoral fellowships in the UK in 2023 and how to apply for them. If you want to learn how to write a Grant Proposal read this post.
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships in the UK are available for early career researchers who have not held full-time permanent academic posts. The Fellowships can be held at universities or other institutions of higher education in the UK and aim to support researchers at the early stage of their academic careers. The Trust will contribute 50% of the Fellow’s total salary costs up to a maximum of £26,000 per year, with the remaining balance to be contributed by the host institution. The Fellow may request up to £6,000 per annum in research expenses. The Fellowships are tenable for three years on a full-time basis but can be held part-time over a longer period for health-related reasons, disability, or childcare commitments. You can find further details and apply via the Leverhulme Trust website.
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Royal Society Newton International Fellowships
Newton International Fellowship is designed for non-UK scientists who are in the early stages of their research careers and wish to conduct research in the UK. From the 2023 round, the fellowship will move to a Full Economic Cost model. The Royal Society will provide funding at 80% of the FEC for Directly Incurred staff costs, Directly Allocated costs and Indirect costs. The maximum award value for the 2023 round is £420,000, and fellowships will be awarded for three years. Fellows will be salaried employees at the host institution. Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences. To be eligible, applicants must have a PhD or will have a PhD by the time funding starts, have no more than seven years of active full-time postdoctoral experience (excluding career breaks), be working outside the UK, not hold UK citizenship, and be competent in oral and written English. The fellowship covers the basic salary as set by the host institution, associated on-costs, research expenses, relocation and visa costs for fellows and their dependents, estate costs, and indirect costs. The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if well justified in the application. For application and further details, you can consult the website of the Royal Society.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships
Marie Skłodowska-Curie research proposal in collaboration with the host institution. The proposal must demonstrate the novelty and relevance of the research, as well as the applicant’s competence and potential. Fellows are expected to devote themselves full-time to the research project and participate in training activities and dissemination events. Applications are submitted through the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal and include a research proposal, CV, publication list, and letters of support from the host institution. The deadline for submission is typically in September. The salary of Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellows are among the highest in the world. You can read more about the Marie Curie Fellowships, proposal writing, and salary here.
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Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowships
The Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowships aim to support outstanding postdoctoral researchers to establish their own independent research careers in the UK. The scheme provides a unique opportunity for talented researchers to work in a stimulating and supportive research environment, with the ultimate aim of advancing biomedical research and its translation into clinical practice. The fellowships provide funding for up to five years and are open to researchers from any discipline who are at a postdoctoral level and wish to establish their own independent research program in the UK. Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent and a minimum of two years of postdoctoral research experience. They must also have demonstrated outstanding research potential and the ability to lead an independent research program.
The application process involves a two-stage process, with applicants first submitting a preliminary application outlining their research proposal and career plan. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application, which will be assessed by a panel of experts in the relevant field. The fellowship provides a competitive salary, as well as support for research expenses and travel. The exact salary and benefits will be determined by the host institution and will depend on the level of experience and qualifications of the individual fellow. In addition to the financial support, fellows will receive mentorship and guidance from senior researchers, as well as access to training and development opportunities to enhance their research skills and advance their careers. Overall, the Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowships offer an excellent opportunity for talented and ambitious researchers to establish their own research programs in the UK and make significant contributions to biomedical research. You can find more about Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowships in this Post.
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British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme is open to applicants in all areas of the humanities and social sciences. The purpose of the scheme is to offer opportunities for outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment, which would help them to develop as independent researchers, and to pursue a research project of their own design. Eligibility for the fellowship requires applicants to have a doctorate in a relevant subject or be near completion of a doctorate at the time of application. They should also be a UK or EEA national, have completed a doctorate at a UK university, or have a strong prior association with the UK academic community. Applicants who do not have a strong prior association with the UK academic community should explain in their application how a fellowship in the UK will benefit their career development.
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable for three years and provide funding to cover the Fellow’s salary costs, full research expenses, and relocation expenses. The salary will be set by the host institution in line with their normal salary scales, with the Academy providing funds to cover the full cost of the Fellow’s salary, national insurance, and pension contributions. The award also provides up to £6,000 a year for research expenses, such as travel, fieldwork, and essential equipment.
The application process for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships includes a two-stage process, with the first stage being the submission of a preliminary application. If successful, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application. The application should include details of the applicant’s research project, a CV, a publication list, a statement of support from the proposed host institution, and two academic references. The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships are highly competitive and applicants are encouraged to seek advice from their proposed host institution and potential referees in preparing their application. You can apply for this fellowship via the website of the British Academy.
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EPSRC responsive mode postdoctoral fellowship
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) offers postdoctoral fellowships to those who are looking to advance their careers in research and innovation. These are personal, career development-focused awards, limited to topics in energy, mathematical sciences, synthetic biology, and Stephen Hawking areas of research. Applications are only accepted through the Funding Service, with an application deadline in September 2023. To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have a PhD or have worked in a relevant field for at least four years by the start date of their fellowship. They must also be hosted and supported by an eligible UK research organization during their fellowship. These fellowships are for early career researchers who have not already received significant funding or led in an area of technical development.
Postdoctoral fellowships are only available in limited topics, and candidates with more research experience may prefer to apply for the open fellowship or open plus fellowship. The EPSRC encourages applications from candidates who have taken a non-standard career path after their first degree and those who want to move back into research after a career break or any other type of break from active research. The postdoctoral fellowships are intended for those who have recently started formulating their own research ideas for programs of work up to three years in duration. The research should deliver high-quality work with a focus on discovery science, innovation, instrumentation or technique development, or software engineering. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills and expertise to successfully deliver their research proposal. Additionally, they must have identified training and development needs to prepare for an enhanced career in research and innovation.
The EPSRC postdoctoral fellowships provide salary support for the fellow and also include funds for research expenses. There are no eligibility rules regarding the number of years of postdoctoral experience required, and applicants do not need to hold a permanent academic position to be eligible for the fellowship. The employment status may vary by the host institution. Details can be found here.
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Royal Society University Research Fellowships
The University Research Fellowship (URF) was previously a five-year fellowship, but starting from the 2022 application round, it is now an eight-year fellowship with the option to apply for up to £90,000 in research expenses per annum. Years six to eight are subject to satisfactory progress and completion of a mid-fellowship checkpoint review at the start of year four. The changes were made to increase the stability of funding and allow URFs to focus on their research aims with a reduced administrative workload. The scheme offers flexible support to accommodate personal circumstances, and applicants should have between three to eight years of research experience since their PhD and should not hold a permanent post or an equivalent fellowship. The fellowship provides a Research Fellow’s salary of 80% of the basic salary costs up to £41,675 in the first year, estates costs, and indirect costs. The scheme supports research within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences and offers tailored professional development, networking, and engagement opportunities. The URF scheme is highly flexible and provides provisions for part-time working, sabbaticals, and secondments, as well as maternity, paternity, adoptive, or extended sick leave. You can find out more about this fellowship and apply via the Royal Society website.
BBSRC Discovery Fellowships 2023
A Discovery Fellowship funding opportunity is open for early career researchers to conduct independent research within a host laboratory and gain leadership skills. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate and relevant research or innovation experience and evidence scientific and technical skills and competencies. The fellowship must be held at a UK research organization eligible for BBSRC funding, and the project must be within BBSRC’s remit. The fellowship lasts for three years, and applicants can choose to work full-time or part-time. The maximum cost of the project is £500,000, and BBSRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost. The fellowship must start by 1 July 2024, and applicants can only submit one application per year. Applicants who hold, or have held, a position at lecturer level, an equivalent competitive fellowship, or have previously applied for BBSRC grant funding as a principal investigator or co-investigator are not eligible to apply. International applicants are also welcome, subject to the fellowship being hosted in the UK, and they may be considered under the Global Talent visa route if successful. You can read more about BBSRC Discovery Fellowships 2023 here.
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CRUK Career Development Fellowships
A Career Development Fellowship is an opportunity for postdoctoral or early career researchers in any research area, with a focus on early diagnosis, cancer prevention, or cancer biology. This fellowship offers funding for a period of six years, or part-time equivalent, and typically provides up to £1.5m in funding. This funding includes salaries, running expenses, and equipment for the fellow and up to two posts. The Career Development Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for researchers who are interested in advancing their careers in the field of cancer research. With funding provided for six years, the fellow has ample time to pursue their research interests and develop new ideas. Additionally, the funding covers all expenses related to the research, including equipment and salaries for staff, allowing the fellow to focus solely on their research. This fellowship is a highly competitive opportunity, and applicants are encouraged to have a strong research background in their field of interest. It is also important for applicants to have a clear and well-defined research proposal that is feasible within the six-year funding period. You can find more about the Career Development Fellowship on this page.
If you do not want to apply for Postdoctoral Fellowships and prefer applying for funded projects, click here for the full list of funded Postdoc Fellowships in Europe, North America, and Australia.