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, 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
Opportunity Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Host Organization: The Royal Society
Country: United Kingdom
Career Stage: Early career
Duration: Four years
Funding: Up to £703,800 over four years
Deadline: 18 November 2026
About the Career Development Fellowship
The Career Development Fellowship supports the retention in STEM of researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. It combines research funding with mentoring, training, networking, and other career-development opportunities.
The current scheme operates as a pilot for researchers from Black heritage backgrounds. It aims to help talented early-career researchers establish their research at a UK institution and develop successful careers in STEM.
The fellowship supports curiosity-led research within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit.
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Funding and Fellowship Support
Applicants can request up to £703,800 over four years.
Confirmed eligible costs include:
✓ 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
Relocation and visa costs for the Fellow, partner, and children can be requested in addition to the £703,800 grant cap.
The fellowship also provides flexibility for personal circumstances. This includes provisions for part-time working, sabbaticals, secondments, maternity leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoptive leave, and extended sick leave.
Financial support is also available for childcare costs arising from attendance at conferences, collaborative research visits, or invited talks.
Training and Career Development
Career Development Fellows receive a tailored programme of training, mentoring, and engagement.
Royal Society Research Fellows can also access development opportunities in areas including:
• Leadership
• Science communication
• Public engagement
Fellows may also participate in activities coordinated by the Royal Society’s science policy and schools engagement teams.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the Career Development Fellowship 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 held a postdoctoral researcher position in the UK.
• Hold a PhD, or expect to hold one by the time fellowship funding begins.
• Have less than 24 months of postdoctoral experience.
• Propose research within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit.
Eligible research areas include biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and other areas within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit.
Both UK- and non-UK-domiciled researchers who wish to conduct their research in the UK can be eligible.
Applicants can be of any nationality. Candidates who require a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa through the fast-track endorsement process.
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 applicants will be invited to an in-person interview at the Royal Society. The interview allows candidates to demonstrate the importance and scientific validity of their proposed research.
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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 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.
