Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship Programme (UK)

Deadline: 04-Nov-26

The Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship supports experienced senior and mid-career researchers at UK institutions by providing funding to help them focus on full-time research without teaching and administrative responsibilities. The fellowship allows eligible researchers to take a break from teaching, administrative, and pastoral care duties for up to one academic year and dedicate their time to advancing their research.

About the Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship

The fellowship is designed for experienced researchers who need dedicated time to concentrate on their research. By funding a teaching replacement, the programme enables fellows to be relieved of normal academic responsibilities and focus on full-time research for a period ranging from one academic term to one academic year. The fellowship is particularly intended to support researchers who have established research careers and would benefit from protected time to pursue significant research projects. How Much Funding Is Available? The fellowship provides funding for both teaching replacement costs and research expenses.

Funding includes:

- Salary costs for a teaching replacement, up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale paid by the host university. - Research expenses of up to £5,000. - Research expenses can cover consumables, equipment, and travel. - The fellowship can last from one academic term to one academic year. The main purpose of the funding is to allow researchers to dedicate more time to their research by reducing their teaching and administrative commitments. Who Can Apply? The fellowship is open to experienced senior and mid-career researchers who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification. - Hold a permanent post at a UK university or not-for-profit institution. - Conduct research within the Royal Society’s remit of the natural sciences. - Be undertaking research that fits within the fellowship’s eligible scientific disciplines. Applications from mid-career researchers are especially encouraged. What Research Areas Are Supported? The fellowship supports research within the natural sciences under the Royal Society’s remit. Eligible research areas include, but are not limited to: - Biological research - Biomedical sciences - Chemistry - Engineering - Mathematics - Physics Researchers should ensure that their proposed research falls within the relevant natural sciences remit before applying. What Does the Fellowship Support? The fellowship provides researchers with protected time to concentrate on their research by relieving them of several normal academic responsibilities.

Supported relief can include:

- Teaching duties - Administrative responsibilities - Pastoral care responsibilities This arrangement allows fellows to dedicate themselves to full-time research for the approved fellowship period. **How Long Is the Fellowship? The fellowship can provide support for a period ranging from: - One academic term - Up to one academic year The duration depends on the applicant’s proposed research needs and the period of research relief requested. Teaching Replacement Costs A key component of the fellowship is support for the salary costs of a teaching replacement. The fellowship can cover teaching replacement salary costs up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale as paid by the host university. This funding helps the host institution provide teaching cover while the successful applicant focuses on research. Research Expenses In addition to teaching replacement costs, fellows can receive up to £5,000 for research expenses.

Eligible expenses include:

- Consumables - Equipment - Travel These funds are intended to support the research activities undertaken during the fellowship. Support for Mid-Career Researchers The programme particularly encourages applications from mid-career researchers. The fellowship provides an opportunity for researchers who have already established their careers to obtain protected time for research and develop their research programmes without their usual teaching and administrative workload. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The Royal Society is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the selection process. The fellowship programme seeks to support a broad and diverse research community while maintaining a fair selection process. Key Facts About the Fellowship

- Programme: Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship

- Target applicants: Senior and mid-career researchers

- Research area: Natural sciences

- Location: UK institutions

- Qualification: PhD or equivalent

- Employment requirement: Permanent post at a UK university or not-for-profit institution

- Teaching replacement: Salary costs supported up to the minimum point on the lectureship scale

- Research expenses: Up to £5,000

- Eligible research expenses: Consumables, equipment and travel

- Duration: One academic term to one academic year

- Mid-career applications: Especially encouraged

- Selection: Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Frequently Asked Questions About the Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship What is the Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship? It is a fellowship that enables experienced senior and mid-career researchers at eligible UK institutions to focus on full-time research by relieving them of teaching, administrative and pastoral care responsibilities. How much research funding is available? The fellowship provides up to £5,000 for research expenses, including consumables, equipment and travel. Does the fellowship cover teaching replacement costs? Yes. Salary costs for a teaching replacement are covered up to the equivalent of the minimum point on the lectureship scale paid by the host university. How long can the fellowship last? The fellowship can last from one academic term to one academic year. Who is eligible to apply? Researchers who