The Royal Society Paul Instrument Fund 2026

The Paul Instrument Fund (PIF) provides grants for the design and construction of apparatus to measure phenomena in the physical sciences. Applications should include genuinely new ideas, techniques, or highly novel applications of existing ideas and techniques. The design and construction of a novel instrument by combining several concepts and/or commercially available parts is acceptable only if the result is greater and more innovative than the sum of its parts.

📜 About The Royal Society Paul Instrument Fund

The Paul Instrument Fund is sponsored by The Royal Society and aims to support innovative projects in the physical sciences. The fund focuses on the development of new instruments or techniques that push the boundaries of scientific measurement.

💰 Benefits of The Royal Society Paul Instrument Fund

Applicants can apply for up to £200,000 over 1-3 years. The funding can cover:

• Staff Costs: Up to 30% of the total amount requested. This can include:
  • Buy-out of a proportion of the Principal Investigator’s (PI) time.
  • Costed time for collaborators, Postdoctoral Research Assistants (PDRAs), or technicians to work on the project.
• Research Expenses: Including consumables and small items of equipment.
  • Note: The purchase of new instruments will not be covered by this grant.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

This scheme is for you if:

• You hold a PhD.
• You are based at an eligible UK host institution.
• You have sufficient tenure in your post to cover the duration of the award.
• Your proposed instrument will measure phenomena in the physical sciences, including:
  • Pure and applied physics.
  • Biophysics.
  • Medical physics.

Note: Please ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before applying. Refer to the scheme notes for further details.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Deadline: 08 January, 2026.
• Applications must be submitted through the Flexi-Grant® system.
  Visit the Flexi-Grant® portal to apply.

Application and Assessment Process:

• For a general overview of the application and selection steps, visit the application and assessment process page.
• Detailed information on the process for this scheme is available in the scheme notes.
• Applications will be assessed by the Paul Instrument Fund Committee.

🔗 Application Portal

• View details of the Paul Instrument Fund on the Royal Society website.
• Apply directly via the application portal.

Take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the physical sciences!

• Applicants can apply for up to £200,000 over 1-3 years.
• Funds can cover:
  • Staff costs: Up to 30% of the total amount requested. This can include a buy-out of a proportion of the PI’s time, or costed time for collaborators, PDRAs or technicians to work on the project
  • Research expenses: Including consumables and small items of equipment. Please note purchase of new instrument(s) will not be covered with this grant