Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027

The Royal Society Career Development Fellowship (CDF) is a four-year postdoctoral research programme designed to help talented early-career scientists from underrepresented backgrounds establish strong research careers in the United Kingdom.

The current pilot focuses on researchers from Black heritage backgrounds, including mixed Black backgrounds. It particularly supports researchers making the transition from doctoral study into the early stages of postdoctoral research.

Successful fellows undertake their own research project at an eligible UK host organisation. The fellowship is intended to help researchers develop greater scientific independence while receiving access to mentoring, professional training, networking and career-development support.

The programme supports curiosity-led research within the Royal Society's natural-sciences remit. Relevant areas include biological sciences, biomedical research, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, environmental and Earth sciences and related disciplines. The Royal Society does not normally support social sciences, humanities or clinical/interventional research on humans under this scheme.
The fellowship is funded through the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) and Royal Society charitable funds. There is also a Royal Society and Alzheimer’s Society Career Development Fellowship for eligible research directly relevant to dementia, excluding clinical and interventional studies on humans.

• Applicants must self-identify as being from a Black heritage background under the current pilot.
• Eligible Black heritage categories include Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed White and Black Caribbean, Mixed White and Black African, and other mixed backgrounds that include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other.
• Applicants must either be UK nationals, have completed part of an Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD degree in the UK, or hold/have previously held a postdoctoral research position in the UK.
• Applicants may be of any nationality provided they meet the programme's other eligibility conditions.
• Applicants must have a PhD or expect to have completed their PhD by the time fellowship funding begins.
• Final-year PhD candidates may apply, but they must have completed their PhD examination with no or minor corrections before starting the fellowship.
• Applicants who have not completed their PhD when applying must provide a supporting letter from their PhD supervisor.
• Applicants must have less than 24 months of full-time postdoctoral research experience by 18 November 2026.
• The Royal Society can take eligible career breaks and personal circumstances into account when assessing the postdoctoral-experience limit.
• Proposed research must fall within the Royal Society's natural-sciences remit.
• The fellowship must be held at an eligible UK host organisation.
• The applicant requires an academic sponsor at the UK host institution.
• Contact between the applicant and proposed sponsor before submission is essential.
• Applicants are not required to move institutions and may, where appropriate, be sponsored by their current PhD supervisor or another suitable researcher.
• Both UK- and non-UK-domiciled researchers may apply where they intend to conduct the fellowship research in the UK.

Eligible host organisations include qualifying UK Higher Education Institutions, Research Council-supported institutes, eligible Independent Research Organisations and Public Sector Research Establishments.

• Up to £703,800 in funding across four years.
• Contribution towards the Research Fellow's basic salary and associated on-costs at 80%.
• Directly allocated and eligible indirect costs at 80%.
• Eligible research expenses funded at 100%.
• Research expenses may include consumables, equipment, travel and conference participation.
• Relocation and visa costs for the fellow and eligible dependants may be requested in addition to the £703,800 grant cap where properly justified.
• Structured mentoring from professionals in academia and industry.
• Training in areas such as grant writing, publishing, science communication, public engagement, entrepreneurship, media skills and research management.
• Networking with other Royal Society Research Fellows and members of the wider scientific community.
• Opportunities to present research through Royal Society activities.
• Up to £5,000 per year within the research budget for additional technical training and professional development.
• Flexible arrangements can be available for personal circumstances, including part-time working.
• Provisions exist for parental leave, adoptive leave, extended sick leave and certain childcare costs related to conferences or research activities.
• Researchers requiring a visa may be eligible to use the Global Talent Visa fast-track endorsement process.

• Completed Flexi-Grant online application.
• Applicant career and research history.
• Personal statement covering long-term research and career aspirations.
• Research proposal developed with the proposed UK Sponsor.
• Scientific abstract.
• Lay summary of the proposed research.
• Project title, research keywords and relevant subject classifications.
• Details of the proposed UK host organisation and department.
• Financial information and research budget.
• UK Sponsor contribution/support through Flexi-Grant.
• Head of Department supporting statement.
• One nominated referee.
• PhD supervisor letter if the applicant has not yet completed the PhD.
• Letters of support from named collaborators, where applicable.
• Relevant ethical approval or evidence that approval will be sought where research involves human participants, patients or tissue.
• ORCID identifier as required through the application process.

The research proposal may be entered into the application form or uploaded as a PDF. Where uploaded as a PDF, the current scheme notes limit it to three A4 pages, including images and references. Three required participants/supporting roles include the UK Sponsor, Head of Department and one nominated referee.

Applications are assessed according to:

• The applicant's ability to deliver the proposed fellowship project.
• Potential to develop an independent research career.
• Research track record considered in relation to the applicant's actual career stage and experience.
• Relevant research contributions, including publications, presentations, datasets, software, awards and other recognised outputs where applicable.
• Contribution or commitment to public communication of science where relevant.
• Quality of the proposed research.
• Likelihood that the proposed research objectives can be achieved.
• Suitability of the proposed host organisation and research environment.
• Strength of the proposed career-development support.
• Scientific suitability of the proposed Sponsor.

Applications are initially reviewed by members of the Career Development Fellowship selection process. A shortlist is produced, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the CDF Selection Committee. The interview assesses, among other things, the importance and scientific validity of the proposed research.

• Develop an independent research profile through a four-year UK fellowship.
• Receive substantial support for both research and professional development.
• Work within an established UK university or research institution.
• Access mentoring from researchers and professionals across academia and industry.
• Build research-management, communication, grant-writing and leadership skills.
• Develop professional networks across the Royal Society research community.
• Gain time and resources to pursue an original curiosity-led research programme.
• Strengthen your profile for future independent research fellowships and academic positions.
• Eligible international researchers may receive support with relocation and visa-related costs.