Royal Society Funding Opportunities – Autumn 2026

Royal Society funding opportunities

The Faraday Discovery Fellowships (mid-career research leaders) – Stage 1 are prestigious long-term awards that will support the most talented mid-career research leaders to undertake high-quality, original research. The programme is aimed at outstanding mid-career STEM researchers and will provide grants of up to £8m over a ten-year period to support the development of world-leading research groups in the UK. Closing 22 September 2026.

International Exchanges are for scientists based in the UK who want to stimulate new research collaborations with leading scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel. Closing 24 September 2026.

Short Industry Fellowships are part of the Royal Society’s Industry programme, enabling scientists employed in industry or academia and/or their postdoctoral researcher to have shorter, more dynamic engagements between academia and industry, working on a mutually beneficial and collaborative project. Closing 7 October 2026.

The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship scheme offers a recognised first step into an independent research career for outstanding early career scientists who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities and/or health-related conditions. Closing 29 October 2026.

Opening soon 

The Career Development Fellowship scheme provides the most talented early career scientists from underrepresented groups in STEM with research funding and high-quality training opportunities to build a strong base for a successful research career. Join the applicant webinar on 6 October, details available on the webpage. Opening 22 September 2026.