Early Career Fellowship Opportunities
This web page is designed to highlight funding opportunities, together with the deadlines, relevant for Early Career Research Staff who are looking to transition to the next stage in their careers by obtaining a personal research fellowship.
The accordion below lists early-career fellowships under several categories with links to the funders’ web pages, deadlines and details about who is eligible to apply. (NB: Only schemes that include salary are listed here.)
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): Leadership Fellowship (ECRs) For early career researchers with outstanding future leadership potential.
Salary + research expenses
£50-£250K
Duration: 6 to 24 months
Rolling
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May
British Academy: Postdoctoral Fellowship Within 3 years of PhD being awarded
UK/EAA national or completed PhD at UK University
Salary + research expenses (max £6K)
Duration: 3 yearsTBA
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship For early-career researchers with their own original and ambitious plans with a commercial setting.
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsMarch/ July
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): Postdoctoral Fellowship Must have undertaken PhD within a DTP or CDT (e.g. SeNSS). Within 12 months of passing viva Salary + research expenses
Duration: up to 2 years
March
Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF): Early Career Research Fellowship Applicants should be within 10 years of PhD award Salary + research expenses
Duration: 1 years
February Wellcome: Early-Career Awards Salary + research expenses
Max £400K
Duration: up to 5 years
March/May
- Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship These are personal, career development focused awards, limited to topics in:
- energy
- mathematical sciences
- synthetic biology
- Stephen Hawking areas of research (go to the What we are looking for section for details)
80% FEC + research expenses
Duration: Postdoctoral (up to 3 years)
Running in rounds, next deadline on 28 September 2023
EPSRC Open Fellowship Applicants will hold a PhD and some years of additional research experience or more than four years’ experience in a relevant field by the start of your fellowship
80% full economic cost (FEC) + research expenses.
Duration: 5 years and may be held part-time
May/September
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
For early-career researchers with their own original and ambitious plans with a commercial setting.
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May
The Royal Academy of Engineering: Research Fellowships It’s “Designed to provide support for early-career researchers and encourage them to become future research leaders in engineering”
No nationality and age restrictions
The scheme is for a maximum £625,000 over the five-year period (80% FEC).
Re-opening on 25 May 2023, with closing date 19 September 2023
Royal Academy of Engineering: UK IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Must have been awarded their PhD in the last 5 years
No nationality restrictions
Funding up to £200k
Duration: 2 years
April
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851: Research Fellowship Up to 3 years postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions
(No overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + expense allowance (£6K p/a)
Duration: 3 years
October
Royal Society: University Research Fellowship (URF) 3-8 years of postdoctoral experience
No nationality restriction
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years
TBA
Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Ernest Rutherford Usually more than 2 years postdoc experience
Limit to the number of applications one host Institution can submit - TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL AND RDM BEFORE PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
Salary + travel & equipment costs
Duration: 5 years
September - Life Sciences
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
BBSRC: Discovery Fellowship (previously Future Leader Fellowship) PhD and up to 5 years postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions
Salary + research expenses
Max £300K
Duration: 3 years
May
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): Fellowship Choose Postdoctoral, Early Career or Established Career as appropriate
No nationality restrictions
Salary + research expenses
Duration: Postdoctoral (up to 3 years), Early Career (up to 5 years)
Rolling IIASA-NERC colllaborative Research Fellowship Hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship
Time spent equally between the UK and IIASA (Austria)
Salary + research expenses
Max £480K
Duration: 3 years
August Natural Environment Research Council (NERC): UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851: Research Fellowship Up to 3 years postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions
(No overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + expense allowance (£6K p/a)
Duration: 3 years
February
Royal Society: University Research Fellowship (URF) 3-8 years of postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years
TBA
Wellcome: Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship Final year PhD or early-career researcher with some initial postdoctoral experience
Restricted to UK/EAA nationals or those with a PhD from a UK or Republic of Ireland University
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Max £300K
Duration: 4 years
October / April
Wellcome: Research Career Development Fellowship PhD with significant postdoctoral experience
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years
November / April / August
Wellcome-Royal Society: Sir Henry Dale Fellowship PhD with significant postdoctoral experience
(Do not fund overheads, although £11K p/a contribution to indirect & estate costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years (possible +3)
November / April / August - Medicine: clinical
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
Alzheimers Research UK: Clinical Research Fellowship Clinically qualified researchers, who ideally already hold a PhD Salary + research expenses (up to £20K p/a)
Duration: up to 3 years
July / January
AXA Postdoctoral Fellowships Within 5 years of PhD being awarded
Limit to the number of applications one host Institution can submit - TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL AND RDM BEFORE PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
Salary + research expenses
Max €125,000
Duration: 2 years
TBA British Heart Foundation (BHF) Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship Successful PhD (or MD) plus NTN and at least two years completed specialist training but usually no more than 2 years after CCT
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + reseearch expenses (inlcuding salary of technician / research assistant)
Duration: 5 years (possible +2)
Rolling
Cancer Research UK (CRUK): Clinician Scientist Fellowship Clinically qualified PhD/MD Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years
May Medical Research Council (MRC): Clinical Research Training - postdoctoral opportunity Clinicial that has achieved PhD over 5 yrs ago but have not been research active since due to clinical commitments Salary + research expenses
Duration: up to 3 years
September / January / April
Medical Research Council (MRC): Clinician Scientist Fellowship Clinically qualified PhD/DPhil/MD Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 years
September / January / April National Institute of Health Research (NIHR): Advanced Fellowship Must have a PhD / MD - suitable for multiple career points:
- Completed a PhD but not established as an independent researcher
- Transition into applied health research from basic science background
- Returning from career break and re-establishing research career
*The NIHR Research Design Service provide provide free advice and support to applicants
Salary + research expenses
Durations: 2 to 5 years
October / April
Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Clinically active healthcare professional that has completed a higher degree (preferably a PhD)
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: up to 8 years
August
- Medicine: non-clinical
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
PhD-qualified non-clinical researchers
Salary + research expenses (up to £20K p/a)
Duration: up to 3 years
July / January
Alzheimer’s Society: Junior Fellowship Up to 5 years from date of PhD viva
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Max £225K
Duration: up to 3 years
September
Alzheimers Society Senior Fellowship 5+ years from the date of PhD viva
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Max £400K
Duration: 4 years
September
AXA Postdoctoral Fellowships Within 5 years of PhD being awarded
Limit to the number of applications one host Institution can submit - TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL AND RDM BEFORE PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
Salary + research expenses
Max €125,000
Duration: 2 years
TBA British Heart Foundation (BHF): Immediate Postdoctoral Basic Science Research Fellowship Up to 2 years of postdoctoral experience
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 years
Rolling
British Heart Foundation (BHF): Intermediate Basic Science Research Felowship 3-6 years of postdoctoral experience
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses (including salary of technician / research assistant)
Duration: 5 years (possible +2)
Rolling
Cancer Research UK (CRUK): Career Development No eligibility rules based on years of post-doctoral experience
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses (inclusing salary of 1 postdoc and 1 technician)
Duration: 6 yearsFebruary
Kay Kendal Leukaemia Fund (KKLF): Junior Research Fellowship 1-4 years of postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + up to £17K p/a consumables
Duration: 3 years
Summer
Kidney Research UK: Intermediate (formerly Post-Doctoral) Fellowship 2-3 years postdoctoral experience
(Only fund direct costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + £15K p/a consumables
Duration: 3 years
August
Medical Research Council (MRC): Career Development Award Applicants are normally expected to hold a PhD
Salary + research expenses (including support for research staff)
Duration: 5 years
September / April Medical Research Council (MRC): UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May National Institute of Health Research (NIHR): Advanced Fellowship Must have a PhD / MD - suitable for multiple career points:
- Completed a PhD but not established as an independent researcher
- Transition into applied health research from basic science background
- Returning from career break and re-establishing research career
*The NIHR Research Design Service provide provide free advice and support to applicants
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 2 to 5 years
June
Wellcome: Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship Final year PhD or early-career researcher with some initial postdoctoral experience
Restricted to UK/EAA nationals or those with a PhD from a UK or Republic of Ireland University
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Max £300K
Duration: 4 years
October / April Wellcome: Research Career Development Fellowship PhD with significant postdoctoral research experience
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years
November / April / August
Wellcome-Royal Society: Sir Henry Dale Fellowship PhD with significant postdoctoral research experience
(Do not fund overheads, although £11K p/a contribution to indirect & estate costs - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 5 years (possible +3)
November / April / August
- Multi- or Cross-disciplinary
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD
Research in any field (3 domains: Social Sciences and Humanities; Life Sciences; Physical and Engineering Sciences)
(funds direct costs + 25% - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE BEGINNING APPLICATION)
Funding is available up to €1.5 million
Duration: 5 years
TBA
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): Future Leaders Fellowship Applicants are expected to hold a doctorate by the start date of the Fellowship Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 to 7 yearsOctober / May - Career re-entry and Flexible Fellowships
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
Royal Society: Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship Up to 6 years of postdoctoral experience
For scientists / engineers who require a flexible working pattern
Salary + research expenses (including support for PDRA and contribution to PhD studentship)
Duration: 5 years
TBA
Applicants will hold a PhD by the start date of the fellowship or have equivalent research experience
Applications are welcomed from candidates who wish to reestablish themselves after a career break or a period of absence from active research
Salary + equipment
Duration: 4 years
May Wellcome: Research Career Re-entry Fellowships Postdoctoral Researcher with 2+ years of experience, returning after a break of 2+ years
For Basic, Clinical or Public Health researchers
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 4 years
October
- Internationals coming to Sussex / Sussex Researchers moving to other institutions
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
AACR-CRUK Transatlantic Fellowship UK-based researchers go to USA; USA-based researchers come to UK
No nationality restrictions
Must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD) in a related field
(Only fund direct costs in the UK - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE STARTING APPLICATION)
Salary + running expenses
Max £300K ($400K)
Duration: 4 yearsJuly
British Academy: Newton International Fellowships For international researchers to come to work in a UK research institution for 2 years
Up to 7 years postdoctoral experience
UK citizens are NOT eligible
£24,000 per annum for subsistence costs + research expenses (£8K p/a) Duration: 2 years
March European Space Industry (ESA) Postdoctoral Fellowship Positions at one of the ESA establishments
Restrictions on which nationals can apply
Recently completed, or close to, a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline
Salary + expatriation allowance
Duration: 2 years (posible +1)
Ongoing
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO): Long-term fellowship To promote mobility of researchers to/from/between EMBC member states (eligibility of country to visit depends upon where PhD was undertaken)
Up to 2 years postdoctoral experience
Stipend for fellow, childcare allowance & travel allowance (no research expenses)
Duration: 2 years
February / August
EU: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual (European) Fellowship For Researchers moving to, or within, Europe
Suitable for multiple disciplines
Suitable for after a career break
Doctoral degreee or at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience
PROPOSAL MUST BE WRITTEN JOINTLY WITH YOUR HOST ORGANISATION - LINK WITH THEM EARLY
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 1 to 2 years
September
EU: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual (Global) Fellowship For Researchers from Europe to move outside Europe, then return
Suitable for multiple disciplines
Doctoral degreee or at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience
PROPOSAL MUST BE WRITTEN JOINTLY WITH YOUR HOST ORGANISATION - LINK WITH THEM EARLY
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 2 to 3 years
September
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP): Postdoctoral Fellowship Interdisciplinary research in the Life Sciences. Work in new field of study in a new country.
Up to 3 years postdoctoral experience
No nationality restrictions, but must work in a country different to where did PhD or first postdoc work
(Do not fund overheads - TALK WITH RDM BEFORE BEGINNING APPLICATION)
Living allowance + research and travel allowance
Duration: 3 years
August Imperial College Research Fellowships Applicants should have a PhD and will normally have no more than four years postdoctoral research experience
Salary + research & travel expenses
TBA JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan Be a citizen or a permanent resident of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
Be a researcher in a position equivalent to a university professor, associate profesor or assitant professor in Japan, or received their doctorate degree prior to 6 years or more.
Monthly maintenance allowance of ¥387,600 & research support allowance of up to ¥150,000
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Overseas Researchers 2020 Applicants must be a resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
Hold a doctorate degree when the Fellowship goes into effect.
Have arranged in advance a research plan with a Japanese host researcher employed at a Japanese university/research institution.
A monthly maintenance stipend of ¥362,000;
A settling-in allowance of ¥200,000;
December Wellcome Sanger Institute: Janet Thorton Fellowship Position at the Sanger Institute, near Cambridge
At least 1 years’ postdoctoral experience returning after a break of 1 year or more
Salary + research expenses
Duration: 3 years
July - Training fellowship opportunities (alongside current role)
-
Fellowship
Eligibility & Notes
Funding & Duration
Timeline
LifeArc-AUTM Fellows Programme Equips academic life scientists, at the graduate or post-doctoral level, with the skills and knowledge to transition into careers in technology transfer
Travel, accomodation and two-year AUTM membership
Duration: 1 year
July
Contact Us
E: researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk
T: 01273 877979
Research Staff Office, Research and Enterprise Services, Level 1, Falmer House, University of Sussex, BN1 9QF
