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Eligibility criteria (2024/25 round)

  1. Research Fellowships must be held at one of the following eligible institutions that can show it is capable of fully supporting an engineering-focused research project and researcher:
    • a UK higher education institution/university or
    • a UK research organisation that is eligible to receive UKRI funding. A list of eligible research organisations is included in the Applicant Guidance notes.
  1. The host institution must agree to provide the Research Fellow all the support normal for a permanent employee.
  2. The proposed research project must be in an engineering subject area. Engineering is defined in its broadest sense, encompassing a wide range of diverse fields.
  3. Research Fellowships are aimed at early-career researchers. Applicants must have a PhD, which was awarded (or the PhD has been unconditionally approved) no more than four years before the submission deadline: Wednesday 18 September 2024. This period includes applicants’ work experience in academia or/and in industry in the UK or/and worldwide. A margin of up to three months more than the four-year limit is acceptable. If applicants have had maternity/paternity leave or other extenuating circumstances (e.g. extended sick leave, national service, or caring responsibilities), this will be taken into consideration if the relevant dates and details are provided in the application form.
  4. Research Fellows will be employed by the host institution and are required to devote all their working time to the Research Fellowship programme of work. The Research Fellowship must be the Research Fellow’s only source of employment. The Research Fellow should be based at the host institution for more than 50% of the Research Fellowship. If the Research Fellow needs to work more than 50% of the Research Fellowship outside the host institution, justification must be provided in the application form (choice of host institution).
  5. There are no nationality and age restrictions for applicants. The host institution is responsible for securing all necessary work permits and related costs for the Research Fellows.
  6. Applicants who have applied to this scheme before and were unsuccessful are eligible to reapply. These applications will be considered as new applications.
  7. Research Fellowships must begin between 1 August 2025 and 31 October 2025. The duration of a Research Fellowship is five years full time, calculated on a pro-rata basis for part-time awards. Requests for a shorter Research Fellowship are not accepted.
  8. There is a limit on the number of applications each host institution can submit. More information in the Applicant Guidance Notes.

 

Please note in previous rounds applicants must not hold a permanent academic position. This eligibility criterion is no longer applicable.

We remind you also that:

  • Research Fellowships cannot be jointly hosted by multiple institutions.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the host institution to gain their formal approval before applying.
  • Any applications that are incomplete or do not adhere to the guidance will be rejected.