New Annual Fund project gives young scientists the freedom to focus on research

The Imperial College Junior Research Fellowships Fund will join the Student Opportunities Fund, the Imperial College Union Building Fund and the Rector’s Fund as one of the Annual Fund's priority fundraising projects.

The Junior Research Fellowships provide up to three years funding, a competitive salary and laboratory support costs for the world’s top early-career researchers. All donations to the Imperial College Junior Research Fellowships Fund will help to enable talented young researchers to focus entirely on the development of their own scientific path by eliminating the demands of teaching and administration fees.

Furthermore, each Fellow will be supported and mentored by a senior researcher at the College, who will advise on career development as well as the mechanics and practicalities of establishing and furthering research programmes.

Professor Maggie Dallman, Principal of the Faculty of Natural Sciences is spearheading the scheme. She explains: ““The early years of a researcher’s career can be incredibly tough if they are trying to carry on with their research, obtain funding to extend this research, develop their teaching skills and become integrated into university life all at the same time. This scheme will give Fellows the best opportunity to focus on research and thereby launch their independent career successfully.”

Researchers from all nationalities working in, or in-between, the disciplines offered by the College are eligible to apply, and the College aims to reward exceptional individuals with superior academic track records to ensure the science base upon which the world relies is strengthened internationally for years to come.

Imperial's Rector, Sir Roy Anderson, said: "The importance of science to our lives is only going to grow over the coming years as we face the serious global challenges of finding sufficient energy, water and food without threatening the future of our planet. So it is vital that we nurture outstanding young scientists by allowing them to develop their own independence, to carry out leading-edge science and to become the leaders of tomorrow.

To make a donation to the Imperial College Junior Research Fellowships Fund, please contact the Individual Giving Team on +44 (0)20 7594 2032 or email supporting@imperial.ac.uk 

For more information on the scheme, please visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jrf