FLAIR Fellowships

Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellowships are for talented African early career researchers who have the potential to become leaders in their field. These fellowships provide the opportunity to build an independent research career in a sub-Saharan African institution and to undertake cutting-edge scientific research that will address global challenges facing developing countries.

This is a partnership between the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Royal Society, supported by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

This scheme is closed to applications.

This scheme is closed and will not open to further applications.

The objectives of this scheme are to:

• Support talented early career researchers to establish an independent research career in African institutions.
• Enable high-quality research that addresses the global development challenges faced by the African continent.
• Provide world-class support, training, mentoring and networking opportunities to benefit early career African researchers.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the GCRF research agenda and Global Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that their research aligns within the remit of these programmes. 

Am I eligible to apply?

You can apply for this scheme if you:

• Are a national of a sub-Saharan African country;
• Hold a PhD by the time you apply;
• Are an early career researcher with a minimum of two years of research experience since completing your PhD and no more than eight years of post-doctoral research experience;
• Wish to hold the fellowship in a research institution in an Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible sub-Saharan African country;
• Have a clearly defined scientific research proposal focusing on one or more of the Global Challenge areas outlined in the scheme notes.

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.

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 duration?

This scheme provides an award of up to £150,000 per year for two years in the first instance, covering:

• Research Fellow's salary, up to £45,000 per year.
• Research expenses
  - Research assistance
  - Equipment costs
  - Travel expenses
  - Research consumables
• Institutional overhead, up to £15,000 per year

The scheme also provides a programme of support and development, including:

• Mentoring
• Training courses
• Opportunities for international collaboration
• Networking opportunities regionally and internationally

What is the application process? 

Applications should be made through the Royal Society’s grant management system Flexi-Grant®.

Your application will follow the process detailed in the scheme notes, overseen by the FLAIR panel.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 23 November 2020 at the African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi. You are advised to keep this week free. You will be notified of the result of the application process by December 2020.

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 flair@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
• technical support during interviews for candidates with hearing or visual impairments
• support during interviews for neurodiverse candidates and those with mental health problems.