The scheme provides salary costs, a one-off start-up grant and research expenses. Appointments are usually made for 10 years.
This scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
These prestigious posts provide long-term support for internationally recognised scientists of outstanding achievement and promise. Previous holders of Royal Society Research Professorships include six Nobel Laureates and five Presidents of the Royal Society.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants can be of any nationality, and applications are particularly welcomed from scientists currently resident outside the UK.
Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes (PDF).
Value and tenure
The scheme provides salary costs, a one-off start-up grant and research expenses. Appointments are usually made for 10 years.
In exceptional circumstances appointments may be extended for a further five-year period, up to a maximum term of 15 years. After this period, all responsibility for the post, financial and otherwise, will pass to the host organisation alone. A representative of the host organisation will be asked to agree in principle to make this commitment, when an application is submitted to the Society.
Application process
All applications will be initially assessed by the Research Professorship panel and a shortlist will then be drawn up.
The shortlisted proposals will then be sent out to be reviewed by at least two independent referees. Finally, all shortlisted applications will be considered at a meeting of the selection panel.