Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowships aim to facilitate research independence - some promote international mobility, some help people train or transition into a new area, and some support people returning to work after a career break or working part-time.

The tables below list early career fellowships under several categories with links to the funders’ web pages, deadlines and details about who is eligible to apply.
Once you have decided to apply for a fellowship, the PFDC’s ‘Preparing Successful Fellowship Applications’ workshop, Funders showcases, one-to-one support and mock interviews provide further support.

Using the tables

If you are calculating your eligibility and have had career breaks or have worked part-time at any point, remember to include this in your calculation.
You might be subject to additional criteria (such as nationality restrictions). Always check the funders’ websites for further details.
If interview dates are not listed, this means that the funder does not advertise this information or the information wasn’t available when the table was updated.
This list is not comprehensive but includes many UK and central EU fellowship funding sources. Ask colleagues in your department if they know of additional funding sources in your field. International colleagues might know of fellowships available in other countries.
In addition to this resource, you can use Idox GRANTfinder a website where you can search for international funding opportunities and sign up for tailored email bulletins.
Always check the funders’ websites for further details – dates and information can change

Download the PDF version: Early Career Fellowship Categories‌‌

1. Engineering

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
UKRI - Future Leaders Fellowships	Early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential.	New dates TBC
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Fellowships	No rules about years of postdoctoral experience. Welcome applications from candidates who want to move back into research after any type of break from active research. Choose Postdoctoral, Open or Synthetic Biology Fellowships. See guidance on their website.	Ongoing – panel meets to discuss reviewed applications in October/December/February/ May/July/September.
ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme	Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. Be a citizen from one of the ESA Member States and European Cooperating States, or from Latvia and Slovenia as Associated Member States and Canada as a Cooperating State. ESA job opportunities link, visit the recruiting website.	To see open Research Fellowships, look for those positions titled Internal Research Fellow among the ESA job opportunities.
L’Oreal UK – Rising stars awards	Must identify as female. No more than ten years' active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).	31 May
Royal Academy of Engineering	The Academy welcomes applications from early-career researchers worldwide who have been awarded their PhD in the last four years. The scheme provides funding for five years. See guidance on their website.	Applications will open early July-late September 2021.
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships	No more than three years' postdoc experience.	Applications open in October 2021. Deadline February 2022
Brunel Fellowship	No more than three years' postdoc experience. Researchers in the core subjects of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aeronautical Engineering seeking to address the primary infrastructure needs of modern society.	Applications open in October 2021. Deadline February 2022
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Built Environment Fellowships	Specific themes will be advertised each year.	Applications open in June 2021
Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF)	Three-eight years of postdoc experience. Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics.	Open - Tuesday 13 July 2021 Close - Tuesday 7 September 2021
Schlumberger Foundation	Preparing for postdoc, female, from developing country.	Opens in September, closes in November

2. Medicine Clinical

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
UKRI - Future Leaders Fellowships	Early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential.	New dates TBC
Alzheimer's Research UK Clinical Research Fellowship	Clinical Research Fellowships are intended for clinically qualified researchers, who ideally already hold a PhD. For a detailed description of the skills and training you will be expected to demonstrate, please read our Early Career Researcher Framework. Frequently asked questions on their website.	TBC
British Heart Foundation (BHF) Intermediate Clinical Research	PhD/MD plus NTN & more than two years' specialist training but less than two years after CCT.	Rolling, there are no closing dates – applications reviewed four times a year.
MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship (CSF)	Clinically qualified PhD/DPhil/MD or Vet Med (providing their project is of relevance to human health). There are no eligibility rules based on years of postdoctoral experience.	Opens - 12 February 2021 Closes - 7 April 2021
MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship (CRTF)	Achieved PhD over five years ago but have not been research-active since, due to clinical commitments. The CRTF supports clinicians, including (but not limited to) medics, surgeons, dentists, clinical psychologists, public health speciality trainees, allied health professionals, nurses, midwives and veterinarians, to undertake a PhD or other higher research degree.	Opens – 12 February 2021 Closes – 7 April 2021
NIHR Advanced Fellowship	Hold a relevant PhD or MD, or have submitted your thesis for examination at the time of application (you must have been awarded a PhD or MD by the time you attend the interview). Complete the relevant pre-registration training (for clinical academic applicants).	Opens – April Closes – July Interview – January Opens – October Closes – January Interview - July
NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award	be a current member of the NIHR Academy have completed any relevant pre-registration training (clinical academic applications only). hold a relevant PhD or MD, or have submitted their thesis for examination at the time of application – applicants must have been awarded their PhD or MD by the time they start. ensure that any previous NIHR awards undertaken finished no longer than 12 months ago. have not submitted a DSE application in the previous round.	Opens – January Closes – March Funding meeting – May Opens – May Closes – July Funding meeting – September Opens – September Closes – November Funding meeting - January
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Clinician Scientist	Career level - Postdoc, Clinician, Health professional.	Preliminary submission – 1 April 2021 Full submission - 15 July 2021 Committee review - November 2021
Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellowships	Want a clinical academic career and completed your thesis for a higher degree (preferably a PhD). As a healthcare professional and you want to balance clinical work with a research career (clinical).	Final round in July 2021 Full application deadline – 6 July 2021

3. Medicine: non-clinical

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
UKRI - Future Leaders Fellowships	Early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential.	New dates TBC
Alzheimer’s Research UK Research Fellowship	PhD-qualified non-clinical researchers. FAQs on the Website.	TBC
Alzheimer’s Society Junior Fellowship	Applicants will be within five years of their PhD viva. Allowances will be made for career breaks.	Currently on hold
Alzheimer’s Society Senior Fellowship	Applicants should be a minimum of five years from the date of PhD viva.	Currently on hold
Versus Arthritis Career Development Fellowship	More than three years of postdoc experience.	Opening: Wednesday 14 April 2021 Deadline: 16.00 Wednesday 14 July 2021
Versus Arthritis Foundation Fellowship	Within one year of completing their PhD at the time of application.	Opening: Wednesday 14 April 2021 Deadline: 16.00 Wednesday 14 July 2021
British Heart Foundation (BHF) Immediate Postdoctoral Basic Science	Candidates should have no more than two years of postdoctoral research experience from the date of the PhD viva.	Rolling, there are no closing dates – applications reviewed four times a year Please submit the application when it is ready
British Heart Foundation (BHF) Intermediate Basic Science	Usually at least three to six years of successful postdoctoral work.	Rolling, there are no closing dates – applications reviewed four times a year Please submit the application when it is ready
MRC Career Development Award (CDA)	There are no eligibility rules based on years of postdoctoral experience.	Opens – 6 August 2021 Closes – 15 September 2021 Shortlisting date – 13 January 2022 Meeting dates: 16-17 February 2022
MRC Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship (SNCF)	There are no eligibility rules based on years of post-doctoral experience.	Opens – 6 August 2021 Closes – 15 September 2021 Shortlisting date – 13 January 2022 Meeting dates: 16-17 February 2022
MRC New Investigator Research Grant (NIRG)	There are no eligibility rules based on years of postdoctoral experience. Applicants can hold a lecturer appointment, a junior fellowship, or be in another research staff position.	Depends on the panel
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Career Development	You should be able to demonstrate that you meet the range of skills and experience as outlined in the ‘establishing independence’ career stage in our Fellowships Competency Framework	Preliminary submission - 1 April 2021 Final submission - 15 July 2021 Committee review - November 2021
The Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Intermediate Research Fellowships	Should hold a PhD (or equivalent), there are no eligibility rules based on years of postdoctoral experience	Deadline - 1 July 2021 Meeting - November 2021 Interviews for shortlisted candidates are likely to be in October/November 2021
Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund Junior Research Fellowships	One-four years of postdoc experience	Deadline - 1 July 2021 Meeting - November 2021 Applications for the Junior Fellowships 2022 (ie any awarded are anticipated to start in 2022) Interviews for shortlisted candidates are likely to be in October/November 2021
Kidney Research UK Intermediate Fellowships (non-clinical)	Two-three years of postdoc experience to specialise in renal research.	December
Kidney Research UK Senior Fellowships (non-clinical)	Extensive postdoctoral experience and already has demonstrated a sustained ability to conduct independent research	December
L’Oreal UK – Rising stars awards	Must identify as female. No more than ten years' active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).	31 May
NIHR Advanced Fellowship	Hold a relevant PhD or MD, or have submitted your thesis for examination at the time of application (you must have been awarded a PhD or MD by the time you attend the interview) Complete the relevant pre-registration training (for clinical academic applicants).	Opens – April Closes – July Interview – January Opens – October Closes – January Interview - July
NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award	be a current member of the NIHR Academy have completed any relevant pre-registration training (clinical academic applications only) hold a relevant PhD or MD or have submitted their thesis for examination at the time of application – applicants must have been awarded their PhD or MD by the time they start. ensure that any previous NIHR awards undertaken finished no longer than 12 months ago. have not submitted a DSE application in the previous round.	Opens – January Closes – March Funding meeting – May Opens – May Closes – July Funding meeting – September Opens – September Closes – November Funding meeting - January
Wellcome Early-Career Awards	You must have a PhD and generally no more than three years of postdoctoral research experience.	Applications open August 2021 Deadline November 2021
Wellcome Career Development Awards	completed one or two substantial periods of research after your initial training. made important contributions to your area of research. You can already be a fellow. You may have been appointed to your first permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract within the last three years. If this applies to you, you can’t ask for your own salary with this award.	Applications Open August 2021 Deadline November 2021
Prostate Cancer UK Travelling Prize Fellowships	Within four years of their PhD	Closing date 24 June 2021

4. Natural Sciences

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
UKRI - Future Leaders Fellowships	Early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential.	Future rounds TBC
BBSRC Discovery Fellowships	There is no limit on the number of years of postdoc experience. You must have completed a successful PhD viva by 30 November 2021	Opens - 9 February 2021 Closes - 6 May 2021
BBSRC David Phillips Fellowships	At least three years of postdoctoral experience	Temporarily paused
ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme	Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. Be a citizen from one of the ESA Member States and European Cooperating States, or from Latvia and Slovenia as Associated Member States and Canada as a Cooperating State. ESA job opportunities link, visit the recruiting website.	To see open Research Fellowships, look for those positions titled Internal Research Fellow among the ESA job opportunities.
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)	Have a PhD Must have at least one lead author, full-length research paper (in an international peer-reviewed journal or published on a pre-print server such as bioRxiv)	Opens April – May 2021
L’Oreal UK – Rising stars awards	Must identify as female. No more than ten years' active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).	31 May
NERC Independent Research Fellowships	Up to eight years of postdoc experience	Opens – TBC
Ramsay Trust Memorial Fellowship	Postdoctoral chemists who have already had some postdoctoral experience in research. Full eligibility criteria here.	15 November
RAS Research and Norman Lockyer Fellowships	Up to five years of postdoctoral experience.	October
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships	No more than three years of postdoc experience.	Applications open in October 2021 – Deadline February
Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF)	Three-eight years of postdoc experience. Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics.	Open - Tuesday 13 July 2021 Close - Tuesday 7 September 2021
Schlumberger Foundation	Preparing for postdoc, female, from developing country.	Opens in September Closes in November
Stephen Hawking Fellowships	Excellent researchers who will make significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics	TBC – Usually opens in September and closes in November
Wellcome Early-Career Awards	You must have a PhD and generally no more than three years of postdoctoral research experience.	Applications Open August 2021 Deadline November 2021
Wellcome Career Development Awards	completed one or two substantial periods of research after your initial training. made important contributions to your area of research. You can already be a fellow You may have been appointed to your first permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract within the last three years. If this applies to you, you can’t ask for your own salary with this award.	Applications Open August 2021 Deadline November 2021

5. Multi-disciplinary

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
UKRI - Future Leaders Fellowships	Early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential	Next rounds TBC
ESRC postdoctoral fellowships	Completed their PhD at a research organisation that is part of a DTP or CDT and who are within 12 months of passing their viva voce.	See DTP/CDT preliminary rounds Full applications March
Imperial College Research Fellowships	Up to four years of postdoc experience	August 2021
Leverhulme Early Career Research	No more than four years from PhD viva Not have a permanent academic position	February
Marie Curie Individual Fellowship	PhD or four years' research experience	September
Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Ernest Rutherford	PhD and some postdoctoral research experience (no years since PhD). Check department requirements	September

6. Support for specific groups

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
Daphne Jackson – scientists re-entering after a career break.	have had a career break of two or more years, taken for family, caring or health reasons. have at least three years of research experience and/or a PhD wish to return to a research-based career	Rolling (except sponsored calls)
Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin – scientists who need to work flexibly.	Up to six years of postdoc experience	Opens - Wednesday 8 September 2021 Closes - Wednesday 10 November 2021
L’Oreal UK – Rising stars awards	Must identify as female. No more than 10 years' active full-time equivalent postdoctoral experience (discounting career breaks but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).	31 May
London Mathematical Society – Grace Chrisholm Young Fellowship	Have a PhD and be returning from a career break	31 December and 30 June
Schlumberger Foundation	Preparing for postdoc, female, from developing country	November
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - Return to research support bursary	Usually returning from a break of two years or more	Rolling
Wellcome Sanger Janet Thornton Fellowship	At least one year of postdoctoral experience returning after a break of one year or more, for any reason	TBC

7. Moving countries

Fellowship name	Eligibility	Deadline
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) – Postdoctoral Fellowships	Up to two years of postdoctoral experience. Must move between countries.	No deadlines (panels meet in February and August)
Postdoctoral Fellowships (former Marie Curie Individual Fellowships)	PhD Not been in the host country for over 12 months in the past 3 years	October
Schlumberger Foundation	Preparing for postdoc, female, from developing country	Opens – September Closes - November

Postdoctoral Fellowships (former Marie Curie Individual Fellowships)

PhD
Not been in the host country for over 12 months in the past 3 years

October

8. Training/Transitional

Fellowship name

Eligibility

Deadline

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)

Have a PhD
Must have at least one lead author, full-length research paper (in an international peer-reviewed journal or published on a pre-print server such as bioRxiv)

Opens April – May 2021

Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellowships

Want a clinical academic career and completed your thesis for a higher degree (preferably a PhD).
As a healthcare professional and you want to balance clinical work with a research career (clinical).

Final round in July 2021

Full application deadline – 6 July 2021

Imperial College London

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PFDC

Fellowship Opportunities

Using the tables

1. Engineering

2. Medicine Clinical

3. Medicine: non-clinical

4. Natural Sciences

5. Multi-disciplinary

6. Support for specific groups

7. Moving countries

8. Training/Transitional

Fellowship Opportunities

Using the tables

Early Career Fellowships Categories

1. Engineering

2. Medicine Clinical

3. Medicine: non-clinical

4. Natural Sciences

5. Multi-disciplinary

6. Support for specific groups

7. Moving countries

8. Training/Transitional