This award is currently available to international early career group leaders to develop their research by linking them with some of the best research groups in the UK. The aim is to:
- Support the development of a well-trained research community who can contribute to poverty alleviation by transferring new skills and creating new knowledge which can lead to changes in the wellbeing of communities and increased economic benefits.
- Strengthen research excellence in partner countries by supporting promising independent, early-career scientists and their research groups and networks to develop their research through training, collaboration, reciprocal visits and the transfer of knowledge and skills from the UK.
- Establish long-term links between the best research groups (and networks) in partner countries and the UK to ensure that improvements in research capacity are sustainable in the longer term. Such long-term links will also benefit the UK, securing our position with partner countries as the scientific partner of choice.
The Newton Advanced Fellowship is in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences and British Academy. Applicants for social science and humanities should apply to the British Academy.
This scheme is funded by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of the Newton Fund.
Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent research experience and hold a permanent or fixed-term contract in an eligible university or research institute, which must span the duration of the project. Applicants should have no more than 15 years of postdoctoral experience. Collaborations should focus on a single project involving an overseas-based scientist (“the Applicant”) and a UK-based scientist (“the Co-applicant”).
Researchers from the countries listed below are eligible to apply for the Newton Advanced Fellowships. The Royal Society and Academy of Medical Sciences have established partnerships with funding organisations in each of these countries (listed below). These partners are offering similar opportunities for UK researchers wishing to visit partner countries.
Awards are currently only available for scientists in the following country:
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.
Value and tenure
Awards last for up to three years. Up to £37,000 is available each year, guidelines for use as follows:
- Salary top up of £5,000 for the overseas-based researcher and/or project leader ("the Applicant") from the partner country.
- Research support of up to £15,000: covering costs for a contribution towards overseas research assistants, publication costs, conference, workshop or seminar costs, consumables, or equipment.
- Travel and subsistence up to £12,000: covering travel costs of the UK partner and/or experienced postdoctoral researchers to the international partner and/or travel of the international partner and their research group, including PhD students to the UK.
- Training costs of up to £5,000: covering costs for courses, conference attendance, training modules and specific training activities.
- Maximum per year: Up to £37k
What is the application process?
Applications should be submitted through the Royal Society’s grants and awards management system (Flexi-Grant®). Applications are initially reviewed by members of the Newton Advanced Fellowship Scheme panel with the most appropriate scientific expertise. Following this a shortlist is drawn up which is reviewed by the panel Chair before a decision is made. Results are available approximately 4 months after the round closes.
Please note that confirmation of support from the UK and overseas heads of department will need to be completed before the advertised deadline in order to successfully complete and submit the application. Your Research Office will not be able to approve your application for submission to the Royal Society until the departmental supports and application form have been completed. Applicants should bear this in mind when coordinating the completion of the application prior to submission.
Overseas opportunities
The following opportunities are currently available to UK scientists with our Newton Fund partners overseas:
Opportunities in South Africa
The DST-NRF Fellowships for early career researchers from the United Kingdom provide the opportunity for post-doctoral researchers to work at a South African research institution for a period of up to six months.
Opportunities in China
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) offers the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) to support highly-qualified international scientists and postgraduate students to work and study at CAS institutions and strengthen their scientific collaboration with CAS researchers.
About the Newton Fund
The Newton Fund is part of the UK’s official development assistance. Its aim is to develop science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of partner countries.
The Newton Fund was launched in 2014 and originally consisted of £75 million each year for 5 years. In the 2015 UK Spending Review it was agreed to extend and expand the Fund. The Newton Fund was extended from 2019 to 2021 and expanded by doubling the £75 million investment to £150 million by 2021, leading to a £735 million UK investment to 2021, with partner countries providing matched resources within the Fund.
The skills and knowledge gained through these awards should lead to changes in the wellbeing of communities and increased economic benefits. The Royal Society is one of several contributing partners to this scheme.