Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 Opens
The Royal Society has opened applications for its 2027 Career Development Fellowship, offering up to £703,800 over four years to support early-career
Applications for the Royal Society Career Development Fellowship 2027 are now open with a deadline of November 18, 2026. The four-year postdoctoral fellowship offers up to £703,800 in funding to support early-career researchers from Black heritage backgrounds in establishing independent research careers in UK institutions.
The funding is designed to cover a contribution to the Research Fellow’s salary and associated on-costs at 80%, alongside directly allocated research costs. Research expenses are covered at 100%. Applicants can also request additional support for relocation and visa costs for themselves and their dependants, which sits outside the main funding cap.
Eligibility and target audience
This fellowship is explicitly for early-career researchers who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including mixed Black heritage. Applicants must have a PhD, or expect to have one by the fellowship start date, and have less than 24 months of post-doctoral experience.
Eligible disciplines include biological sciences, biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and other natural science fields supported by the Royal Society. The scheme is open to researchers of any nationality who meet one of three UK connection criteria: being a UK national, having completed part of their undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral education in the UK, or currently holding or having previously held a postdoctoral researcher position in the UK. Those requiring a visa are eligible for the UK Global Talent Visa fast-track endorsement process.
Support and development opportunities
Beyond financial support, the fellowship provides a comprehensive career development package. The Royal Society stated, "The Career Development Fellowship offers much more than research funding. It provides a structured pathway for promising scientists to establish independent research careers." This includes mentoring, networking opportunities, leadership and science communication training, and support for public engagement and research collaboration.
Award holders can also access provisions for parental leave, extended sick leave, and childcare costs related to conferences and research visits. The initiative was developed following Royal Society-commissioned research that identified barriers affecting the progression of researchers from Black heritage backgrounds in UK academia and STEM.
Application process and selection
Applications open on September 22, 2026, and must be submitted via the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant® system. The selection process involves eligibility screening, expert peer review, panel assessment, and an in-person interview at the Royal Society for shortlisted candidates. Applicants will be judged on scientific quality, originality, feasibility, potential impact, and their potential to become future STEM leaders.
The expected decision date is June 30, 2027. The inaugural fellowship round in 2024/25 received 233 eligible applications and resulted in 7 offers, a success rate of approximately 3%. The Royal Society provides support and reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants throughout the process.
Applicants are advised to review the scheme guidance thoroughly, develop a clear and innovative research proposal, and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before submitting.
