About the scheme
The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships are to:
- enable UK universities and research institutions to strategically recruit and attract outstanding emerging or established international research leaders to the UK from overseas by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research
- strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important by the institution
The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships programme also includes a Visiting Fellowship strand.
From 2026 there will be two rounds per year.
The scheme is jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society.
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 equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.
See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.
Changes to the scheme
Following an evaluation of the scheme, we are implementing the changes below for the 2026 rounds.
Increased flexibility on start dates and/or length of time since candidates moving to the UK
- Candidates no longer need to have a formal offer of employment at the point of application. However, award holders will still be expected to be offered (the equivalent of) a full-time post at a UK institution. This intention should be clearly stated in the institutional letter of support.
- International researchers who have arrived in the UK prior to the application deadline will now be allowed to apply for the scheme, with the expectation that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than six months. A justification will be requested for applicants already based in the UK at the point of application.
- Award holders can now start their Fellowship up to one year from the offer of award being made, allowing flexibility on moving dates and all the arrangements that need to occur to enable a significant move to the UK.
- Reflecting the above-mentioned flexibility, the contract start dates no longer need to be identical to the award start dates.
Extending eligibility criteria to emerging leaders as well as established leaders
- We are broadening the eligibility criteria to allow for the appointment of emerging leaders without excluding the established leaders the scheme already attracts. This will enable the fellowships to attract and support more talented mid-career researchers. No specific checks will be made in terms of years of research experience, but candidates will need to demonstrate they are internationally-leading independent research groups and are recognised in their field.
Two rounds per year
- Given the added flexibility in terms of award start dates, we will now be running two rounds per year instead of three. Round opening dates will be kept under review to ensure the timeframe continues to meet the needs of the applicants and host organisations applying for the scheme.
What does the scheme offer?
This scheme provides up to five years of funding. Up to £300,000 can be requested.
Funds can cover:
- Salary enhancement – The institution may include a salary enhancement for the researcher. This will be limited to a maximum of 20% of the total salary
- Research expenses – Including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment and other appropriate and justified costs (including fieldwork)
- Research assistance
- PhD studentship(s)
- Relocation and visa costs for Royal Society Wolfson Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application
Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes.
We provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities. There is provision for maternity, paternity, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.
Royal Society Research Fellows also have the opportunity to access a range of career development and engagement opportunities including training on leadership, science communication and public engagement, and activities coordinated by our science policy and schools engagement teams. For further detail on these additional benefits, read our opportunities page.
This scheme is for you if:
- You are a mid- or senior career researcher, with a proven track record for high-quality scientific research, which may include, as appropriate: a strong publication record, being invited to conferences as keynote speaker and evidence of scientific leadership and/or supervising or mentoring junior researchers
- You are at a stage in your career where you have a well-established, fully independent research programme, and can demonstrate significant contributions to your field of research. The applicant should also consider how the scheme will impact their career trajectory and scientific area
- You are currently based overseas, and will receive a firm offer of employment from the UK host organisation if an award is made. International researchers who have arrived in the UK prior to the application deadline are eligible to apply for the scheme provided they have relocated recently, with the expectation being that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than six months at the application deadline date. Nominations will not be accepted for researchers wishing to move between UK institutions
- Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.
Applicants can be of any nationality and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.
Read the scheme notes for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and see below for details specific to this scheme.
Researchers must be nominated by a representative of the host institution before they are able to apply for the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship:
- The Vice-Chancellor, or their representative (Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research) or Institute Director will need to contact the Royal Society Grants Office by email on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org and will be sent a link to a nomination form
- After the completed nomination form has been considered by the Royal Society, the Vice Chancellor, or their representative (Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research) or Institute Director (nominator) will be sent a link to invite the nominated researcher (applicant) to complete and submit a full application on Flexi-Grant
- Applications received by the application deadline will be considered by the Selection Panel
Assessment of your application will be overseen by the Wolfson Fellowships panel.
Following eligibility checks, applications are initially reviewed and assessed by two panel members who have the most appropriate scientific expertise. A shortlist is drawn up, with shortlisted applications subject to independent review. Following completion of independent peer review, applications are then discussed at a Panel meeting where recommendations for funding are made.
Further detail on the application and review process is available in the scheme notes.
| Financial year | Eligible applications | Offers | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 21 | 7 | 33.3% |
| 2023/24 | 16 | 5 | 31.3% |
| 2024/25 | 14 | 6 | 42.9% |
Please note:
- Data is based on eligible applications and offers made, and does not include upgraded reserves
- Applicants must be nominated by their proposed host institution
- Fewer rounds were opened in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, and application numbers were low during these years
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 call +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
- Support during interviews as required, including technical support for candidates requiring accessibility software or services
- Additional costs that candidates may incur on account of their particular disability to attend an interview
If you have further questions regarding the scheme, contact the Grants team on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org or visit our contact us page.
