Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship

This scheme is for experienced senior and mid-career researchers who would benefit from a period of full-time research without teaching, administration and pastoral care duties. It is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

This scheme is currently closed to applications

Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society. The Royal Society does not cover clinical medicine (such as patient orientated research and clinical trials), social sciences or humanities, other than when working in partnership with organisations.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply, you must:

have a PhD or equivalent
hold a permanent post at a UK university or not-for-profit institution
be at a stage in your career when you would particularly benefit from a period of full-time research. Applications from mid-career candidates are particularly encouraged.

Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.

What is the scheme’s value and tenure?

The award lasts between one term and one academic year.

The applicant’s employing institution will be reimbursed for the full salary cost of a teaching replacement (up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale as paid by the host university).

Research expenses up to a maximum of £2,500 are available to cover the costs of consumables, equipment, travel and communicating science.

What is the application process?

Applications should be submitted through the Royal Society’s Grants and Awards management system Flexi-Grant®.

Your application will go through the process detailed on the Making a grant application page overseen by the Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowships Panel.

Applications are initially reviewed by members of the Panel with the most appropriate expertise, and are then shortlisted. The shortlisted applications are reviewed by two independent referees suggested by the Panel members. The selection panel considers each application taking into account the nominated and independent references at a Panel meeting.

The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society 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 processes to help ensure that all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria. This includes ensuring all panel members are briefed on unconscious bias in decision making as part of our assessment process.

Support for applicants with disabilities

The Royal Society welcomes applications from scientists with disabilities and provides adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you need an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants team on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org or +44 20 7451 2666. Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

extension of the deadline
additional support to complete the application form

For more information regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org or call us on +44 20 7451 2666.