The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship

The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship enables UK universities and not-for-profit research institutions to attract and recruit talented, internationally leading researchers to their organizations.

📖 About The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship

The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships are to:

• Enable UK universities and research institutions to strategically recruit and attract outstanding research leaders to the UK from overseas by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research.
• Strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important by the institution.

Key Details:

• Date Published: June 14, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 04, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, PhD
• Opportunity Location: United Kingdom

The scheme is jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society. There are typically three rounds per year.

The Royal Society is committed to diversity and inclusion in STEM and encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds. Adjustments and support are available for applicants with disabilities to ensure equitable participation in the selection process.

🎁 Benefits of The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship

This scheme provides up to five years of funding, with up to £300,000 available. Funds can cover:

• Salary Enhancement: Up to 20% of the total salary.
• Research Expenses: Including consumables, travel, small equipment (up to £10,000), and other justified costs (e.g., visa costs, fieldwork).
• Research Assistance.
• PhD Studentships.
• Relocation and Visa Costs: For fellows and their dependents (partner and children).
• Flexibility for Personal Circumstances: Includes part-time working for health or caring responsibilities.
• Parental Leave and Sick Leave: Maternity, paternity, adoptive, or extended sick leave provisions.
• Childcare Costs: Financial support for childcare costs arising from attending conferences and research visits.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship, you must:

• Be a mid- or senior-career researcher with a proven track record of high-quality scientific research. This may include:
  • A strong publication record.
  • Invitations to conferences as a keynote speaker.
  • Evidence of scientific leadership and/or mentoring junior researchers.
• Be currently based overseas and have received a firm offer of employment from a UK host organization. (Nominations are not accepted for researchers moving between UK institutions.)
• Conduct research within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, including but not limited to:
  • Biological research and biomedical sciences.
  • Chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics.
  • Full list of subject groups supported by the Royal Society.

Note: Applicants of any nationality are eligible, and those requiring a visa can apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process.

📅 Application Process

Nomination Process:

1. Researchers must be nominated by a representative of the host institution (e.g., Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, or Institute Director).
2. The nominator must contact the Royal Society Grants Office via email at seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org to request a nomination form.
3. Once the nomination form is reviewed, the nominator will receive a link to invite the nominated researcher to complete and submit a full application on Flexi-Grant.

Assessment Criteria:

Applications will be assessed based on:

• The research track record of the candidate, considering career breaks.
• The strategic case for the nomination and its alignment with the institution’s scientific strategy.
• The quality and originality of the candidate’s proposed research vision and its potential contribution to UK research.
• The suitability of the host organization and its commitment to supporting the researcher’s long-term career development.

Selection Process:

• Applications are initially assessed by at least two members of the selection committee.
• Shortlisted applications undergo further review by at least three independent reviewers.
• Final decisions are made at a committee meeting.
• Applicants will be notified of the outcome by early January 2026.

Important:

• Applications must be approved by the host organization and the applicant’s department before submission via Flexi-Grant®.
• Late applications will not be accepted.

📌 Additional Notes

• Applications can only be submitted online via the Royal Society’s Grants management system, Flexi-Grant®.
• Paper-based applications will not be accepted.
• For more details, refer to the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship Scheme Notes.

📧 Contact Information

For support or adjustments during the application process, contact:

• Email: seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org
• Phone: +44 20 7451 2666

Adjustments may include:

• Deadline extensions.
• Additional support to complete the application form.
• Receiving the application form in alternative formats (e.g., Word document).
• Technical support for accessibility software or services during interviews.
• Financial support for disability-related costs incurred during interviews.

📅 Application Deadline

September 04, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View Details: The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship
• Apply Here: Flexi-Grant®

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to advance your research career while contributing to the UK’s scientific excellence. Don’t miss the chance to apply!

• This scheme provides up to five years of funding. Up to £300,000 can be requested.
• Funds can cover:
  • Salary Enhancement – The institution may include a salary enhancement for the researcher. This will be limited to a maximum of 20% of the total salary.
  • Research expenses – Including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment of up to £10,000, and other appropriate and justified costs (including visa costs and fieldwork).
  • Research assistance.
  • PhD studentship(s).
  • Relocation and visa costs for Royal Society Wolfson Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application.
• They provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities.
• There is provision for maternity, paternity, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.