Number Offered: Approximately 30 each year.
Opening Date:
19 July 2010
Application Closing Date:
15 September 2010
Apply for this grant:
http://e-gap.royalsociety.org/
Results Available:
May 2011
Success Rate:
Approximately 6%
Aim:
The University Research Fellowships scheme aims to provide outstanding scientists, who should have the potential to become leaders in their chosen field, with the opportunity to build an independent research career. Those appointed are expected to be strong candidates for permanent posts in universities at the end of their fellowships.
Subjects Covered:
All areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent research experience by the time they apply, we will not accept applicants who have just submitted their PhD. Applicants are expected to be at an early to mid-stage of their career. As an example, you could have had between one and three post doc positions.
At the time of application, applicants must either:
- be a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), i.e. European Union, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein; or a Swiss citizen
- or have a relevant connection to the EEA or Switzerland (a relevant connection can be established if an individual has a PhD from a university in the EEA or Switzerland, or has worked as a research scientist in a university or research institute in the EEA or Switzerland for at least the past two years, or has done so before taking up an appointment outside the EEA or Switzerland).
Persons holding a permanent post in an EEA or Swiss university will not be considered (includes UK).
Length of Tenure:
Initially funding is provided for five years followed by an extension of three years. In exceptional circumstances the Society can consider a further extension taking the fellowship to a maximum of 10 years. Available from 1 October 2011.
Value of Grant:
Provides funding to cover the research fellow's salary costs, estates costs and indirect costs. Under the full economic costing model, 80 per cent of these costs will be met by the Royal Society. Research expenses (up to £13,000 for the first year and up to £11,000 annually thereafter) will also be provided. The Research Fellowship provides researchers with maximum flexibility and can be held part-time, and allows sabbaticals, secondments or international experience.
Important Changes: Please note the following which apply to this new round.
The Society has introduced a framework to clarify the level of funding that can be requested to support the salary of a URF. Please note this only relates to the Society’s contribution. Should the University wish to increase the salary of the researcher above what is outlined below, they are free to do so at their discretion, however any additional costs must be borne by the University. The following are important changes to the guidance for applicants:
- URFs are an early career fellowship and as such, the basic salary requested should be at a level commensurate with your skills, responsibilities, expertise and experience. It is expected that requested salaries will be comparable to post-doctoral researcher or early stage lecturer, up to a maximum of £37,555.
- An annual spine point increase of 2% may be applied to the salary.
- No indexation should be applied to the salary; the Society will apply an annual inflationary increase to the salary of successful awards. The level of inflation applied will be determined by HM Treasury’s GDP deflator. This will be reviewed on an annual basis and the value of awards amended in line with increases or decreases in the GDP deflator.
- We will pay 80% of the salary, oncosts, London weighting (where appropriate), the indirect costs and estate costs that have been agreed by the Society. In addition we will pay 100% of the agreed research support.
Please note: Before completing the application form all applicants should check that they comply with the eligibility requirements outlined above. These requirements are strictly adhered to and any applicant who does not meet them will be excluded from the competition. We will be holding interviews for these fellowships at the Royal Society. Applicants are asked to keep April 2011 free. Only applicants that pass the other stages of assessment will be invited.
Contact us for more information about this scheme