For researchers establishing independence or leadership, or combining their professional activities with completing a doctorate.
Daphne Jackson fellowship
Funding for those returning to a career after a break of two or more years taken for family, health or caring reasons. They are flexible and offer at least 100 hours of training each year.
Funding is usually for three years part-time.
Award frequency: varies.
Search for funding opportunities for the Daphne Jackson fellowship.
Early independence: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) fellowship scheme
These are for excellent researchers who want to become future leaders and conduct their own research at a host laboratory. They must show evidence of their progress towards these goals.
As well as funding, the scheme offers mentoring, fellowship events and training courses.
Award frequency: annual
Search for funding opportunities for the BBSRC fellowships scheme.
Early Independence: EPSRC Early Independence Fellowships
These fellowships enable early career researchers who have had postdoctoral experience and show early evidence of capability to be a leading and active researcher to further their academic career. These fellowships are only open in specific research areas within EPSRC’s remit.
Applicants must have either a PhD with additional postdoctoral experience or equivalent in a relevant field by the start of their fellowship.
You can apply for up to five years full-time or ten years part time if you work part time.
Career stages: exploration, progression.
Award frequency: twice a year.
Search for funding opportunities for EPSRC early independence fellowships.
Early Independence: Ernest Rutherford fellowships
Funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Ernest Rutherford Fellowships enable early career researchers with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent research programme. They help attract outstanding overseas researchers to the UK and encourage talented researchers in UK universities to remain in the country.
Applicants must have a PhD or relevant experience and cannot hold an academic position or another fellowship that funds their working time.
Funding will cover the fellow’s salary and project costs for five years.
Award frequency: annual.
Search for funding opportunities for Ernest Rutherford fellowships.
Early Independence: MRC career development fellowships
These help postdoctoral researchers make the transition to independent researcher. Funding will cover the researcher’s salary and project costs for up to five years.
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent. They must show evidence of career progression and clear plans for developing independence and leadership in their area of research.
Award frequency: twice a year.
Search for funding opportunities for MRC career development fellowships.
Read more about how MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly funded fellowships.
Early independence: MRC clinician scientist fellowships
These help healthcare professionals become independent researchers in a medical research field.
Funding will cover the researcher’s salary and project costs for up to five years.
Applicants must be a registered healthcare professional, have a PhD or equivalent and show clear plans for developing as a leader in their field.
Award frequency: three times a year.
Search for funding opportunities for MRC clinician scientist fellowships.
Read more about how MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly funded fellowships.
Early independence: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) independent research fellowships
These support early career researchers who want to conduct their own environmental research within an eligible host organisation.
Applicants must have a PhD or significant relevant research experience combined with clear evidence of leadership potential.
Funding will cover the fellow’s salary and project costs for five years.
Award frequency: annual.
Search for funding opportunities for NERC independent research fellowships.
Future Leaders Fellowships
Long-term support to enable fellows to tackle ambitious programmes or multidisciplinary questions, and new or emerging research and innovation areas and partnerships. Fellows can be based in universities, businesses or other eligible independent research organisations.
Applicants must be early career researchers or innovators who have a PhD or can demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience or training.
Award frequency: annual.
Future Leaders Fellowships
Professional doctorate: clinical research training fellowship
Funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). This is for registered healthcare professionals without a PhD to get one to pursue a research career.
Funding will cover the fellow’s salary and project costs for three years.
Award frequency: three times a year
Search for funding opportunities for the Professional doctorate: clinical research training fellowship.
Read more about how MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly funded fellowships.
