Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 – Up to £703,800
The Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 is a four-year postdoctoral research fellowship for eligible early-career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Applicants can request up to £703,800 over four years for research in the UK, with additional relocation and visa costs available for the Fellow and eligible dependants. Applications close on 18 November 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: Career Development Fellowship
Host Organization: The Royal Society
Country: United Kingdom
Career Stage: Early Career / Postdoctoral
Duration: Four Years
Funding: Up to £703,800 over four years
Application Status: Open
Deadline: 18 November 2026
About the Career Development Fellowship
The Career Development Fellowship is designed to support the retention in STEM of researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.
The four-year fellowship provides funding for high-quality research alongside mentoring, training, networking, and career-development opportunities. The programme aims to help award holders establish successful research careers in the UK.
The current scheme is offered as a pilot for researchers from Black heritage backgrounds.
Funding and Fellowship Support
Applicants can apply for up to £703,800 over the four-year fellowship period.
Confirmed eligible support includes:
✓ Contribution to the Research Fellow’s salary and associated on-costs at 80%
✓ Directly allocated costs at 80%
✓ Research expenses at 100%
✓ Relocation costs for the Fellow and eligible dependants
✓ Visa costs for the Fellow and eligible dependants
✓ Training, mentoring, and engagement opportunities
✓ Career-development opportunities
Relocation and visa costs for the Fellow, partner, and children can be requested in addition to the £703,800 grant cap.
The programme also offers flexibility for personal circumstances. This includes provisions relating to part-time working, sabbaticals, secondments, maternity leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoptive leave, and extended sick leave.
Financial support may also be available for childcare costs arising from conference attendance, collaborative research visits, or invited talks.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Candidates must:
• Self-identify as being from a Black heritage, including a mixed Black background.
• Be a UK national, have completed part of their undergraduate, master’s, or PhD education in the UK, or hold or have previously held a postdoctoral researcher position in the UK.
• Hold a PhD, or expect to have one by the time the fellowship funding begins.
• Have less than 24 months of postdoctoral experience.
• Propose research within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit.
Relevant areas within the Royal Society’s remit include biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics.
Both UK- and non-UK-domiciled researchers who want to conduct their research in the UK may be eligible if they meet all programme requirements.
Applicants may be of any nationality. Those who require a visa are also eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa through the fast-track endorsement process.
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Training and Career Development
Career Development Fellows receive a tailored programme of training, mentoring, and engagement.
Royal Society Research Fellows can also access broader career-development opportunities, including training in:
• Leadership
• Science communication
• Public engagement
Fellows may also participate in activities coordinated by the Royal Society’s science policy and schools engagement teams.
Application and Selection Process
Applications must be submitted through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant application and grant-management system.
The Career Development Fellowship panel oversees the assessment process.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an in-person interview at the Royal Society. During the interview, applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate the importance and scientific validity of their proposed work.
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Important Dates
Applications Open: 22 September 2026
Application Deadline: 18 November 2026
Decision By: 30 June 2027
Application Deadline
Applications for the Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 must be submitted by:
18 November 2026
The scheme is currently open for applications.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application portal below.
