/ Grants at the Royal Society

Paul Instrument Fund

This scheme is for scientists in the UK who want to design and construct a novel instrument to measure phenomena in the physical sciences.

Status: Closed Opening: 30 October 2025

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About the scheme

The Paul Instrument Fund (PIF) provides grants for the design and construction of apparatus to measure phenomena in the physical sciences. Applications should contain genuinely new ideas, techniques or highly novel applications of existing ideas and techniques. The design and construction of a novel instrument as a result of combining several concepts and/or commercially available parts is only acceptable if the result is greater and more innovative than the sum of the constituent parts.

The instrument should, as far as possible, be a standalone device and might be an outcome of a previous extensive research programme. The fund requested should not be to acquire or part fund an instrument or facility to support an existing or future programme of research in the sole applicant's and collaborators' laboratory. Instead, the proposer must demonstrate the applicability of the instrument to others in the scientific community.

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 policies and processes to embed EDI principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria.

See below for details of reasonable adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.

Changes to the scheme

The value of the award has increased since the scheme last ran, from up to £75,000 to up to £200,000.

What does the scheme offer?

Applicants can apply for up to £200,000 over 1-3 years.

Funds can cover:

  • Staff costs: Up to 30% of the total amount requested. This can include a buy-out of a proportion of the PI’s time, or costed time for collaborators, PDRAs or technicians to work on the project
  • Research expenses: Including consumables and small items of equipment. Please note purchase of new instrument(s) will not be covered with this grant

Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes, which will be published shortly.

This scheme is for you if:

  • You hold a PhD
  • You are based at an eligible UK host institution
  • You have sufficient tenure in your post to cover the duration of the award
  • Your proposed instrument will measure phenomena in the physical sciences, including pure and applied physics, biophysics and medical physics

Read the scheme notes, which will be published shortly, for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.

You will apply through our application and grant management system, Flexi-Grant®.

See the application and assessment process page for a general overview of the application and selection steps. Further detail on the application and assessment process for this scheme is available in the scheme notes, which will be published shortly.

Assessment of your application will be overseen by the Paul Instrument Fund Committee.

The Royal Society welcomes applications from disabled applicants and provides support and adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you require support or 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. All requests for adjustments are made in confidentiality. Any request for an adjustment will not normally be shared with panel members unless it becomes relevant to the assessment process itself. If we need to share your request with anyone (for example if panel members are required to implement any adjustments during interviews), we will ask for your permission first.

Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

  • Extension of the deadline
  • Additional support to complete the application form
  • Receiving the application form in a different format, such as on a Word document

If you have further questions regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org or visit our contact us page.

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