Deadline: 23-Sep-2025
The Faraday Discovery Fellowships are prestigious long-term awards that will support the most talented mid-career research leaders to undertake high-quality, original research.
The aims of the Faraday Discovery Fellowships are to: Support the most talented mid-career research leaders to be based in the UK – both attracting outstanding mid-career researchers from overseas and retaining outstanding researchers in the UK, as well as their groups/teams. Fund high-quality original research – providing long-term funding to enable talented mid-career researchers to focus on their research vision and address the most challenging research questions (including supporting translation or commercialisation where those are part of their long-term vision for their research).
Develop world leading research groups/teams in the UK – providing long-term, stable levels of support to enable the UK-based award holder to establish world-leading groups/teams and pursue their research. Train the next generation – Providing the next generation of research leaders with a programme of mentoring, training and networking. A career development package including training and events will also be made available to PDRAs in their research group funded on the grant. They will monitor others in the research group including (early career researchers, PDRAs, PhD students and technicians) to evaluate the impact of the funding on their careers.
The scheme offers applicants the opportunity to apply for up to £8 million over 10 years, with £6 million of core funding and an additional £2 million available upon justification. This flexibility recognises that some scientific fields demand higher costs and provides researchers with long-term stability. Provisions are also made for part-time working, sabbaticals, secondments, parental leave, and childcare support linked to research-related travel.
Eligibility is reserved for mid-career researchers with typically 10 to 20 years of post-PhD experience, though exceptional candidates with fewer years will be considered. Career breaks, industrial research experience, and shifts in research discipline are taken into account. Applicants must demonstrate leadership in their field, significant research contributions within the last decade, international recognition, and a strong record of supervising and training research staff. Candidates must also hold a permanent academic post, be in the latter stages of a long-term fellowship, or possess equivalent research experience.
The scheme welcomes applications from researchers of all nationalities who wish to conduct their work at a UK higher education institution or eligible research organisation. Collaboration with industry partners is permitted under specific conditions, and joint appointments with industry or international institutions may be considered. However, researchers based entirely in industry or senior researchers with more than 20 years of post-PhD experience will not be supported.
The application process follows a two-stage review. Stage one involves submitting a CV and outline of the research vision, with successful candidates progressing to submit a full proposal at stage two. This is followed by peer review, applicant rebuttals, and final selection by the Faraday Discovery Fellowships Selection Committees. Approximately seven fellowships are awarded each year, with successful applicants expected to begin their appointments from October 2026, subject to progress reviews at the five-year mark.
The Royal Society emphasises diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the fellowship, ensuring that talented researchers from varied backgrounds can thrive. Adjustments are available to support disabled applicants throughout the application and selection process. Application closes on 23 September 2025.
For more information, visit The Royal Society.