Deadline: 18-Sep-2025
The Royal Society has announced its Industry Fellowships to support researcher’s development, foster knowledge exchange, stimulate longer-term collaborations, and establish personal, scientific and corporate links between researchers in different sectors.
The aims of the scheme are to: Support the mobility of excellent academic or industrial researchers between the two sectors in the UK, across the natural sciences Enable the Industry Fellow to develop and establish collaborative links between the academic and industrial organisations, which may lead to longer term collaborations Support the career development of the Industry Fellow, and their team, through the cross-sector collaborative research experience afforded by the fellowship Enhance knowledge exchange in science and technology between industry and academia.
Approximately four fellowships will be awarded, with successful candidates expected to begin between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2026. Each fellowship can be held for two years on a full-time basis or pro rata, with options such as 50% part-time for four years to allow fellows to maintain links with their employing institution. Applicants can apply for funding of up to £168,000 over the award period. This amount may cover the fellow’s basic salary during the secondment, with their institution continuing to provide national insurance and pension contributions, as well as up to £4,000 per year in research expenses including consumables, travel, accommodation, and a contribution towards a summer studentship.
Applicants are eligible if they hold a PhD or equivalent professional standing and have a permanent post or open-ended contract in a UK university, not-for-profit research organisation, or UK industry. The scheme is intended to support new collaborations, and those applying with an existing partner must propose a new project involving a different department. Individuals with significant ownership in a partner company or who serve on its board are not eligible. The Royal Society strongly encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and provides adjustments for applicants with disabilities, including deadline extensions, technical support, and additional resources during the application process.
Both the host organisation, which is the applicant’s current employer, and the partner organisation, where the secondment will take place, must demonstrate mutual benefit, appropriate facilities, and support for the proposed research. Industrial partners must provide supporting documentation regarding company size, finances, facilities, and research staff, confirming their ability to host and support the fellow.
Applications will be assessed based on the applicant’s track record, the quality and innovation of the proposed science, the value of the fellowship to the applicant’s career development, and the mutual benefit to both organisations. The review process involves panel assessments, independent peer review, and final ranking, with outcomes expected by March 2026. Applicants must also provide references from their current employer, the partner organisation, and two independent referees, at least one of whom must be based in the UK.
For more information, visit The Royal Society.
