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Are you an early career scientist with ground-breaking ideas and a passion for research? The University Research Fellowship (URF) program by the Royal Society offers a unique opportunity to support the next generation of research leaders. This scheme is for outstanding scientists who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their field.
Opportunity Details
The University Research Fellowship (URF) programme aims to support the next generation of research leaders to undertake cutting-edge research. The objectives of the URF programme are to enable outstanding early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in their field to:
Fellowships are for eight years, with years six to eight being subject to satisfactory progress demonstrated in a mid-fellowship review at the start of year four.
The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria.
See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.
Host Organisation Support – More detailed guidance provided to host organisations regarding expectations of their support for the applicant. From this round onwards, the Head of Department statement of support will be visible to applicants.
We recommend reading the information in full and contacting your host organisation Research Office in the first instance with any questions.
Applicants can apply for up to a maximum of £1.87 million over eight years.
Funds can cover:
Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes and in the Royal Society Funding Guidance.
We provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working, sabbaticals and secondments. There is provision for maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.
Royal Society Research Fellows also have the opportunity to access a range of career development and engagement opportunities including training on leadership, science communication and public engagement, and activities coordinated by our science policy and schools engagement teams. For further detail on these additional benefits, read their opportunities page.
This scheme is for you if:
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.
You will apply through their application and grant management system, Flexi-Grant®. Click on the link to the application website to access this portal.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and below for details specific to this scheme.
Assessment of your application will be overseen by one of their five Research Appointment Panels (Standing Committees) based on your research area:
Assessment of your application will be overseen by one of the five Research Appointment Panels. Following eligibility checks, applications are initially assessed by a minimum of two panel members who have the most appropriate scientific expertise. A longlist is drawn up, with longlisted applications subject to independent peer review. Following completion of independent peer review, a shortlist for interview is drawn up with oversight from the Panel Chairs. At the end of the interview stage, the Panels will confirm the recommendations for funding.