Deadline: 19-Nov-2025
The Career Development Fellowship provides support to the most talented early career scientists from underrepresented groups in STEM with research funding and high-quality training opportunities to build a strong base for a successful research career.
This fellowship aims to support talented early career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in taking the first step towards establishing their research in a UK institution, provide researchers with the opportunity to undertake high-quality curiosity-led research, provide the most promising researchers with the mentoring, networking opportunities, training and support required to establish a successful research career in the UK, and support talented researchers from underrepresented groups to pursue a career in STEM and strengthen the UK scientific workforce.
It is expected that a minimum of £30,000 of research expenses per annum will be requested within the total award value of £690,000. A key element of the fellowship is a structured programme of bespoke mentoring, training, and networking opportunities. Fellows will be paired with mentors from academia and industry, and will have access to training on grant writing, publishing, public engagement, entrepreneurship, media skills, policymaker engagement, and team management.
The fellowship also facilitates peer-to-peer support and networking with the wider research community, including opportunities to present research at Royal Society events. Fellows can request up to £5,000 per year for additional technical training and career development activities.
The funding can cover the Research Fellow’s salary and associated on-costs, directly allocated and indirect costs, and research expenses including consumables, equipment, travel, and attendance at conferences. Relocation and visa costs for the applicant and their dependants can also be requested beyond the total grant cap if justified.
The fellowship includes a high-quality programme of training, mentoring, and engagement to support career development. Flexibility is provided to accommodate personal circumstances such as part-time working, sabbaticals, or secondments, with provisions for maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoptive, or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs during professional engagements.
The scheme is currently offered as a pilot for researchers from Black heritage, with the potential to expand to other underrepresented groups if successful. Eligible applicants must self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, be UK nationals or have completed part of their education or postdoctoral research in the UK, possess a PhD or equivalent by the start date with less than 24 months of postdoctoral experience, and conduct research within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences. Both UK and non-UK domiciled researchers are eligible, with visa support available through the Global Talent Visa route.
Host institutions must be UK-based higher education institutions, research institutes, or public sector research establishments. Candidates may choose to remain at their current host organisation or move to another that best supports their research and career development goals.
Applications are assessed by Selection Committees comprising scientists with relevant expertise. Each application is reviewed by at least two panel members, with oversight from a Panel Chair. Assessments are based primarily on the scientific merit of the applicant and the proposed research, with adherence to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. The Royal Society also provides adjustments for disabled applicants to ensure full participation in the selection process.
Up to five fellowships will be awarded, with the possibility of additional awards depending on funding availability. Fellowships will commence between 1 October 2026 and 1 January 2027 and run for four years.
The deadline for applications is 19 November 2025.
For more information, visit Royal Society.
