Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 (Funded)

Overview

The Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 gives the most talented early career scientists from underrepresented groups in STEM research funding and high-quality training opportunities to build a strong base for a successful research career. It is a four-year postdoctoral research fellowship aimed at keeping researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Fellows receive funding for high-quality research and a comprehensive programme of mentoring, training and networking to help them establish a research career in the UK.

The fellowship aims to support talented early career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in taking the first step toward establishing their research at a UK institution, to enable high-quality curiosity-led research, to provide the mentoring, networking and training needed for a successful UK research career, and to strengthen the UK scientific workforce.

What you get

Applicants can request up to £703,800 over four years. The funds can cover a contribution to the Research Fellow's salary and associated on-costs at 80%, directly allocated costs at 80% and research expenses at 100%. Relocation and visa costs for the fellow and their dependants can be requested on top of the total cap.

Who can apply

The scheme is for researchers who self-identify as being from a Black heritage, including mixed Black background. They must be a UK national, or have completed part of their education in the UK through an undergraduate, Master's or PhD degree, or hold or have held a postdoctoral position in the UK. Applicants need a PhD, or will have one by the time funding starts, with less than 24 months of post-doctoral experience. The research must fall within the Royal Society's remit of natural sciences, including biological and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

Both UK and non-UK domiciled researchers who wish to work in the UK are eligible. Applicants can be of any nationality, and those needing a visa can apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track endorsement process.

Key dates

The application deadline is November 18, 2026.