Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowship 2027
Three-year research fellowship for early-career scientists and engineers to pursue a self-directed research project in the physical or biological sciences, mathematics, applied science or engineering.
| Amount / funding | Full salary costs covered plus GBP 10,000 per annum expense allowance, normally up to three years, subject to annual review (per the host-university summary; exact salary follows UK institution rates). |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Completed applications by 20 January 2027 at 12:00pm GMT; assessment to interview days 11-12 May 2027; decisions 13 May 2027; fellowships held from 1 October in the year of award or such date in the year of award as agreed. Around eight awards per year. |
| Start date | October 2027 |
| Level | Postdoctoral |
| Funding type | full |
| Field | 05 Natural Sciences |
About this scholarship
Three-year research fellowship for early-career scientists and engineers to pursue a self-directed research project in the physical or biological sciences, mathematics, applied science or engineering.
Minimum requirements
Early-career scientists or engineers of exceptional promise proposing a research project of their own instigation in the physical or biological sciences, mathematics, applied science or engineering. Normally no more than three years of postdoctoral research experience at the anticipated start date (Manchester host page); the official FAQ states no more than 2.5 years of postdoctoral experience by 31 January in the award year - the discrepancy is recorded here and the 2027 Terms and Conditions govern. Applicants must hold a PhD or be in the final stages (PhD completed before the award is confirmed) and conduct the research at a different institution from their PhD institution.
Application checklist
- Draft a self-instigated research project in an eligible field (physical/biological sciences, mathematics, applied science or engineering)
- Confirm you meet the postdoctoral-experience limit under the 2027 Terms and Conditions (see discrepancy note)
- Arrange a host institution different from your PhD institution
- Confirm your PhD will be completed before the award is confirmed
- Submit the completed application via the 1851 awards portal before 12:00pm GMT on 20 January 2027
Application tips
- Read the 2027 Terms and Conditions, not older host pages, for the postdoctoral-experience limit: the FAQ and a host page disagree (2.5 vs 3 years).
- Because the fellowship must be held away from your PhD institution, line up the new host group well before January.
- Interviews fall on 11-12 May 2027 with decisions on 13 May 2027, so keep that week free if shortlisted.
- Host-university internal deadlines in November/December 2026 are not the funder deadline; the binding date is 20 January 2027.
Always verify deadline, amount and eligibility on the official page before applying. Values marked ESTIMATE are based on a previous cycle and are not confirmed for the current round.
Tags: 1851, research fellowship, physical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, mathematics