Deadline: 12-Nov-2025
The Royal Society is inviting applications for its Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship to provide opportunities for experienced senior and mid-career researchers to focus on full-time research for up to one year, by relieving them of all their teaching, administrative and pastoral care duties during that period.
Preference will be given to candidates who, as well as demonstrating scientific excellence, can show that such relief is particularly needed and timely.
The scientific merit and track record of the individual: past achievements, research career to date (taking account of any career breaks), publication record, likely contribution to research field and future potential. Need for relief from teaching, administrative and pastoral care duties, including timeliness of the application in terms of your career and scientific area. The quality of the proposed research project: Strength, originality and novelty of the proposed project, definition of research plan and likelihood of achieving goals.
Approximately seven fellowships will be awarded, with tenure ranging between one academic term and one year. The fellowships will commence on 1 October 2026. The employing institution of each Fellow will be reimbursed for full salary costs up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale as paid by the host university. In addition, up to £5,000 will be available to cover research expenses including consumables, equipment, and travel.
Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification and a permanent post at a UK university or an eligible not-for-profit institution. They must also have an established, fully independent research programme and demonstrate that they would particularly benefit from a period of full-time research. Applicants should not have received sabbatical leave or equivalent teaching relief for one year or more during the three years prior to applying. If other recent fellowships or significant funding have been awarded, applicants must clarify that these did not cover teaching relief and explain why further support is required.
The Royal Society recognises the diverse paths of research careers and considers time taken away from research for personal reasons, such as maternity, paternity, adoptive leave, caring responsibilities, ill-health, or work outside the research environment. The Society values diversity and is committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion principles in all aspects of the fellowship process to ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance of success.
Fellowships may be held at the applicant’s home university or another eligible UK institution, including approved industrial research organisations. The application process is conducted via Flexi-Grant, where applicants must ensure all participants such as referees and supporting contributors create accounts and submit their required statements through the system.
Applications will undergo a multi-stage review process. Initially, two members of the Fellowship Panel with relevant expertise will assess submissions and shortlist suitable candidates. These shortlisted applications will then be reviewed by two independent experts before final decisions are made by the Panel. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of April 2026.
The Royal Society welcomes applications from disabled researchers and will provide adjustments as needed, including deadline extensions, application form support, alternative formats, accessibility assistance during interviews, and coverage of additional costs related to disability needs. The deadline for application is 12 November 2025.
For more information, visit The Royal Society.
