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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

Fellowship	Eligibility & Notes	Funding & Duration	Timeline
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): Leadership Fellowship (ECRs)	For early career researchers with outstanding future leadership potential. See funding guide for specifics	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 years	October / 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 years	TBA
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 years	March/ 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	ECRs who are ready to develop their research identity.	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 years	October / 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 years	October / 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 years	October / 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
Alzheimer’s Research UK: Research Fellowship	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 years	February
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 years	October / 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
European Research Council (ERC): Starting Grant	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 years	October / 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
UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowships	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 years	July
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

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