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Apply for Early Career Fellowship Program (UK)

Deadline: 19-Feb-2026

The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2026 provides three-year research grants for early-career academics in the UK to complete a significant piece of publishable work. The program offers tiered salary support alongside £6,000 in annual research expenses, prioritizing researchers who have not yet held a permanent academic post.

The Early Career Fellowship is a prestigious funding scheme designed to bridge the gap between doctoral studies and permanent academic positions. It provides researchers with the financial independence and time necessary to establish a significant research profile within the UK Higher Education sector.

Why It Matters: Academic Career Acceleration

The fellowship serves as a critical catalyst for the next generation of scholars by:

  • Enabling Independence: Allowing researchers to lead their own projects outside the shadow of their PhD supervisors.

  • Securing Institutional Support: Mandating a funding split with host universities, ensuring the institution is invested in the Fellow’s long-term career.

  • Promoting Broad Scholarship: Unlike many funders, Leverhulme supports the full spectrum of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (excluding clinical medicine).

  • Focusing on Publication: Prioritizing the delivery of high-quality, publishable research that defines a scholar’s future trajectory.

Key Concepts and Definitions

  • Host Institution: A UK university with research degree awarding powers that employs the Fellow.

  • Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP): The legal authority held by an institution to grant PhDs; a prerequisite for hosting a Fellow.

  • Match Funding: The requirement for the host university to cover 50% of the salary costs in years two and three.

  • Research Expenses: Additional funds (up to £18,000 total) for travel, consumables, and equipment directly related to the project.

Who is Eligible?

The Trust targets “early career” researchers who have already demonstrated excellence but lack permanent security.

Eligible Candidates:

  • Must have a proven research record but not yet held a full-time permanent academic post.

  • Must be resident in the UK for the duration of the 36-month award.

  • Candidates with a PhD must propose a project that represents clear progression beyond their doctoral thesis.

Ineligible Subject Areas:

  • Studies of disease, illness, and disabilities in humans and animals.

  • Research intended to inform clinical practice.

  • Development of medical applications.

Funding Structure and Financials

The fellowship is a 36-month, non-renewable award with a specific salary-sharing model between the Trust and the Host University.

Salary Support In the first year, the Leverhulme Trust covers the full salary costs up to £56,000. In the second and third years, the Trust covers 50% of salary costs (up to £28,000 per year), with the host university providing the matching 50%.

Research Expenses Fellows may request up to £6,000 per year (Total £18,000) to support research activities. This includes:

  • Conference participation and book purchases.

  • Travel and subsistence for research trips.

  • Research assistance and laboratory consumables.

  • Essential equipment items.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

  1. Identify a Host: Secure a commitment from a UK university department. The department must confirm facilities (desk space, computing) and match funding in advance.

  2. Develop a Novel Proposal: Ensure the project is not a “reworking” of your PhD. It must show academic growth and new research horizons.

  3. Access the GMS: Register on the Leverhulme Trust Grants Management System (GMS).

  4. Institutional Approval: Your application must be electronically approved by the host university’s research office before the deadline.

  5. Referees: Nominate referees who must submit their references directly through the GMS portal.

  6. Submission Timeline: Applicants will be informed of the outcome by email at the end of May 2026.

Tips and Common Mistakes

  • The “Thesis Extension” Trap: Avoid projects that look like “Volume 2” of your PhD. The Trust explicitly seeks new research directions.

  • Inadequate Budget Justification: Research expenses require detailed justification. Do not simply ask for the maximum without a plan.

  • Late Institutional Approval: Many applications fail because the host university’s internal deadline is earlier than the Trust’s deadline. Start the administrative process early.

  • Teaching Balance: While teaching is allowed, it must be limited. Research remains the primary focus of the award.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I apply if I already have a permanent job at a university? No. The scheme is strictly for those who have not yet held a full-time permanent academic post.

2. Is the Fellowship renewable after 36 months? No. The Fellowship is a one-time, non-renewable 36-month award.

3. When must the Fellowship start? Successful Fellows must commence their post between 1 September 2026 and 1 May 2027.

4. Can I move my Fellowship to a different university later? Transfer requests are only considered under limited circumstances related to significant career development, usually only after at least one year in post.

5. Does the Leverhulme Trust provide feedback on unsuccessful applications? No. Due to the high volume of submissions, the Trust does not provide individual feedback.

6. Are part-time awards available? Yes. Provision is available for part-time awards over a proportionately longer period for reasons related to health, disability, or childcare commitments.

7. Can I use the research expenses for a personal computer? Essential equipment items are eligible, but they must be justified as necessary for the specific research project and typically remain the property of the host university.

Conclusion

The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship is one of the most vital funding streams for sustaining the UK’s research excellence. By providing a clear 36-month window for independent scholarship, it ensures that the transition from doctoral student to established academic is based on merit, originality, and significant contribution to the field.

For more information, visit The Leverhulme Trust.