The Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship supports mid-career and senior STEM researchers with protected research time, teaching replacement funding and up to £5,000 for research expenses. Apply by 4 November 2026.
Background & Fellowship Description
The Royal Society is inviting applications for its Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship, a funding opportunity designed for experienced senior and mid-career researchers who need dedicated time to concentrate on research without the usual responsibilities of teaching, administration and pastoral care.
Generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust, the scheme aims to help researchers pursue full-time research and strengthen scientific excellence. Applicants are particularly encouraged to demonstrate why a period of relief from their usual duties is necessary and timely.
The fellowship provides support for a period ranging from one academic term to one academic year, enabling researchers to focus on their projects and advance their work.
The scheme is currently open, with applications closing on 4 November 2026.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding organisation | The Royal Society |
| Funder | Leverhulme Trust |
| Fellowship | Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship |
| Target applicants | Experienced senior and mid-career researchers |
| Research focus | Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) |
| Fellowship duration | One term to one academic year |
| Teaching replacement funding | Up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the host university’s lectureship scale |
| Research expenses | Up to £5,000 |
| Application status | Open |
| Application deadline | 4 November 2026 |
| Application platform | Royal Society Flexi-Grant |
Fellowship Benefits and Funding
The fellowship is intended to give researchers more time to concentrate on their research by relieving them of routine academic responsibilities.
1. Teaching Replacement Funding
The award can cover the salary cost of a teaching replacement, up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale as paid by the host university.
This support is intended to help researchers step away from teaching responsibilities during their fellowship period.
2. Research Expenses
Researchers can request up to £5,000 in research expenses. Eligible expenses listed by the Royal Society include consumables, equipment and travel.
Applicants should consult the scheme notes and conditions of award for the full funding rules.
3. Protected Research Time
The fellowship allows successful applicants to concentrate on full-time research without teaching, administrative and pastoral care duties for the agreed period.
The scheme particularly favours applications that demonstrate strong scientific excellence alongside a clear and timely need for this dedicated research period.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The scheme is aimed at experienced senior and mid-career researchers. The supplied announcement does not include the complete eligibility criteria, so prospective applicants should consult the official scheme notes before applying.
Applicants should review the full requirements relating to their career stage, institutional arrangements, research proposal and host university.
Research Proposal Requirements
The Royal Society has announced several changes to the application process:
- The research proposal may now be a maximum of two pages.
- The personal statement is no longer required.
- Statements from nominated referees are no longer required.
- Letters of support from collaborators may be submitted when the collaboration is an essential part of the project.
Applicants should follow the latest application guidance and ensure their submissions meet the stated requirements.
Additional Information
The application deadline is 4 November 2026.
Applications are submitted through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant platform. Candidates should review the scheme notes, conditions of award and application guidance to confirm eligibility, prepare their research proposals and understand the funding conditions.
How to apply: Visit the Royal Society Grants website and locate the Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship. Follow the official instructions to access Flexi-Grant and submit your application before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship?
It is a fellowship supporting experienced senior and mid-career researchers who need dedicated time to focus on research without teaching, administrative and pastoral care responsibilities.
2. Who funds the fellowship?
The scheme is administered by the Royal Society and generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
3. How long does the fellowship last?
The award lasts between one academic term and one academic year.
4. How much funding is available?
The award can cover the salary cost of a teaching replacement, up to the specified lectureship salary level at the host university, plus research expenses of up to £5,000.
5. What research expenses are covered?
The listed eligible expenses include consumables, equipment and travel, subject to the scheme’s funding conditions.
6. Who can apply?
The scheme is intended for experienced senior and mid-career researchers. Applicants must consult the official eligibility guidance for the complete requirements.
7. Is a personal statement required?
According to the announced scheme changes, a personal statement is no longer required.
8. Are referee statements required?
The scheme changes state that statements from nominated referees are no longer required. Letters of support from collaborators may be included when the collaboration is essential to the project.
9. What is the application deadline?
The advertised deadline is 4 November 2026.
10. How can researchers apply?
Applications are submitted through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant platform. Start from the official Royal Society Grants website and locate the fellowship.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship may be valuable for established researchers who need protected time to advance important research projects. The possibility of funding a teaching replacement and claiming up to £5,000 in research expenses makes the scheme particularly relevant to academics whose teaching and administrative duties limit their research time.
Applicants should demonstrate scientific excellence and explain why the proposed period away from normal duties is necessary and timely.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares research funding and fellowship opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the Royal Society or the Leverhulme Trust and does not administer the scheme. Applicants should confirm eligibility, eligible expenses and submission requirements through the official funding guidelines.
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