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Request for Applications: Industry Fellowship Programme (UK)

Deadline: 01-Apr-2026

The Royal Society Industry Fellowship Programme supports UK-based scientists and engineers to collaborate across academia and industry, fostering knowledge exchange, career development, and long-term partnerships. Fellowships provide funding, research expenses, and flexible working arrangements to enable impactful cross-sector projects.

About the Programme

The Royal Society Industry Fellowship Programme is designed to promote mobility of talented researchers between academia and industry in the UK. It encourages collaboration, knowledge transfer, and career development while strengthening connections between scientific research and industrial application.

Objectives

  • Support the mobility of academic and industrial researchers across the natural sciences.

  • Enable fellows to develop collaborative links between academic institutions and industrial organisations, potentially leading to long-term partnerships.

  • Enhance career development for the fellow and their team through cross-sector research experience.

  • Promote knowledge exchange in science and technology between industry and academia.

Fellowship Details

  • Duration: Up to 2 years full-time, or up to 4 years part-time.

  • Funding: Up to £168,000 over the award period.

  • Research Expenses: Up to £4,000 per year (can support summer studentships).

  • Salary Support: Covers the fellow’s basic salary during secondment; employing organisation continues pension and National Insurance contributions.

Flexibility and Support

The fellowship accommodates a variety of personal and professional circumstances:

  • Part-time working arrangements or sabbaticals.

  • Parental leave, including maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoptive leave.

  • Extended sick leave.

  • Childcare costs related to attending conferences and research visits.

Who Is Eligible?

  • Academic or industrial researchers based in the UK.

  • Hold a PhD or equivalent professional standing.

  • Have a permanent or open-ended contract at a UK university, not-for-profit research organisation, or industry.

  • Early- to senior-career researchers who would benefit significantly from establishing or strengthening links between academia and industry.

How to Apply

  1. Identify a cross-sector collaboration opportunity that strengthens links between your current organisation and a partner in academia or industry.

  2. Prepare a proposal detailing objectives, expected outcomes, collaboration plan, and budget.

  3. Submit the application through the Royal Society’s online portal before the deadline.

  4. Successful applicants receive funding, research expenses, and flexible working support for the duration of the fellowship.

Why This Fellowship Matters

  • Strengthens UK innovation by linking academic research with industrial application.

  • Develops professional skills and networks for researchers at all career stages.

  • Supports sustainable collaborations that extend beyond the fellowship period.

  • Enhances knowledge exchange in natural sciences, contributing to the UK’s research and technological capacity.

FAQs

  1. Who can apply? UK-based researchers in academia or industry with a PhD or equivalent standing and a permanent/open-ended contract.

  2. How long is the fellowship? Up to 2 years full-time or up to 4 years part-time.

  3. What funding is available? Up to £168,000 for salary support and up to £4,000 per year for research expenses.

  4. Can part-time or flexible arrangements be accommodated? Yes, including sabbaticals, parental leave, and extended sick leave.

  5. Are childcare costs covered? Yes, for attending conferences and research visits.

  6. What is the main purpose of the fellowship? To promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between academia and industry while supporting career development.

  7. Is prior collaboration experience required? No, but the fellowship should meaningfully benefit the fellow’s career and strengthen long-term partnerships.

Conclusion

The Royal Society Industry Fellowship Programme empowers UK researchers to build cross-sector collaborations, enhance scientific knowledge exchange, and advance professional development. By linking academic innovation with industrial application, the programme drives long-term partnerships and impact in science and technology.

For more information, visit The Royal Society.