About the scheme
The objectives of 蘑菇视频 Wolfson Fellowships are to:
- enable UK universities and research institutions to strategically recruit and attract established senior career researchers or exceptionally outstanding mid-career research leaders to the UK from overseas by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research
- strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important by the institution
蘑菇视频 Wolfson Fellowships programme also includes a Visiting Fellowship strand.
蘑菇视频 recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.
See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.
This scheme is jointly funded with generous support from and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).
Changes to the scheme
The changes below have been implemented for the 2027 rounds.
Changes in the nomination process
Following a recent evaluation of the Wolfson programme and engagement with university stakeholders regarding the schemes, we have streamlined the nomination process for both schemes so that nomination forms no longer need to be completed on Flexi-Grant.
Instead, the Vice-Chancellor (or a nominated deputy) should now directly email us at seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org with the name and contact details of their chosen nominee, who will then be provided with the application form link directly.
The institutional supporting letters presenting the case for recruitment are still required within the application form, as previously.
Additional questions on application form
- Applicants are asked to confirm their location at point of application. If they are already based in the UK, they will be asked their relocation date, and from which country they relocated from.
- Heads of Department are now asked to confirm the job title/level of appointment that will be offered to candidates. This question has been added to ensure that the appointment level at the UK host institution is at the expected level of seniority for a Wolfson Fellowship and will be used as part of the Committee assessment.
Application assessment
- Applications will now be reviewed by two Committee members, and if shortlisted, by a minimum of three independent peer reviewers closely aligned to the application’s subject area.
What does the scheme offer?
This scheme provides up to five years of funding. Up to £300,000 can be requested.
Funds can cover:
- Salary enhancement – The institution may include a salary enhancement for the researcher. This will be limited to a maximum of 20% of the total salary
- Research expenses – Including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment and other appropriate and justified costs (including fieldwork)
- Research assistance
- PhD studentship(s)
- Relocation and visa costs for Royal Society Wolfson Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application
Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes.
We provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities. There is provision for maternity, paternity, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.
Royal Society Research Fellows also have the opportunity to access a range of career development and engagement opportunities including training on leadership, science communication and public engagement, and activities coordinated by our science policy and schools engagement teams. For further detail on these additional benefits, read our opportunities page.
This scheme is for you if:
- You are an established senior career researcher or exceptionally outstanding mid-career research leader with a proven track record for high-quality scientific research, which may include, as appropriate: a strong publication record, being invited to conferences as keynote speaker and evidence of scientific leadership and/or supervising or mentoring junior researchers
- You are at a stage in your career where you have a well-established, fully independent research programme, and can demonstrate significant contributions to your field of research. The applicant should also consider how the scheme will impact their career trajectory and scientific area
- You are currently based overseas, and will receive a firm offer of employment from the UK host organisation if an award is made. International researchers who have arrived in the UK prior to the application deadline are eligible to apply for the scheme provided they have relocated recently, with the expectation being that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than six months at the application deadline date. Nominations will not be accepted for researchers wishing to move between UK institutions
- Your research is within 蘑菇视频’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by 蘑菇视频.
Applicants can be of any nationality and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.
Read the scheme notes for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and see below for details specific to this scheme.
Researchers must be nominated by a representative of the host institution before they are able to apply for 蘑菇视频 Wolfson Fellowship:
- The Vice-Chancellor, or their representative (Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research) or Institute Director will need to contact 蘑菇视频 Grants Office by email on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org with the nominee contact details (full name and email), requesting a link to the full application form
- Nominations should be received by the nomination deadline to be considered for the round
- If the request has come from an appropriately senior person, the Office provides the link to the full application form directly to the applicant to be completed on Flexi-Grant, and confirms this with the nominator
- Applications received by the application deadline will be considered by the Selection Panel
Assessment of your application will be overseen by the Wolfson Fellowships panel.
Following eligibility checks, applications are initially reviewed and assessed by two panel members who have the most appropriate scientific expertise. A shortlist is drawn up, with shortlisted applications subject to independent review. Following completion of independent peer review, applications are then discussed at a Panel meeting where recommendations for funding are made.
Further detail on the application and review process is available in the scheme notes.
| Financial year | Eligible applications | Offers | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 21 | 7 | 33.3% |
| 2023/24 | 16 | 5 | 31.3% |
| 2024/25 | 14 | 6 | 42.9% |
| 2025/26 | 12 | 5 | 41.7% |
Please note:
- Data is based on eligible applications and offers made, and does not include upgraded reserves
- Applicants must be nominated by their proposed host institution
- Fewer rounds were opened in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, and application numbers were low during these years
蘑菇视频 welcomes applications from disabled applicants and provides support and adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you require support or an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants Team on adjustments@royalsociety.org or call +44 20 7451 2666. All requests for adjustments are made in confidentiality. Any request for an adjustment will not normally be shared with panel members unless it becomes relevant to the assessment process itself. If we need to share your request with anyone (for example if panel members are required to implement any adjustments during interviews), we will ask for your permission first.
Adjustments can include but are not limited to:
- Extension of the deadline
- Additional support to complete the application form
- Receiving the application form in a different format, such as on a Word document
- Support during interviews as required, including technical support for candidates requiring accessibility software or services
- Additional costs that candidates may incur on account of their particular disability to attend an interview
If you have further questions regarding the scheme, contact the Grants team on seniorfellowships@royalsociety.org or visit our contact us page.
