Applications are now open for the Fully Funded 2026 Newton International Fellowship Programme for Early Career Researchers
Closing Date: 11 March 2026
Applications are now open for the Fully Funded 2026 Newton International Fellowship Programme for Early Career Researchers
About the scheme
The Newton International Fellowship (NIF) programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. The fellowships enable researchers to access expertise, gain new perspectives and build long-lasting collaborative relationships.
This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.
The overarching aim of the Newton International Fellowship programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce. The objectives are to:
- Attract talented international early career scientists to establish and conduct their research in the UK
- Support early career scientists or researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research
- Provide opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge through training and career development
- Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the Newton International Fellowships alumni programme.
Applications for the humanities and social sciences should be made to the British Academy.
If you are unsure about which academy to apply to, contact [email protected].
The Royal Society 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. The society 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.
Changes to the scheme
Following a steep increase in applications in recent years, NIF has introduced changes to the eligibility criteria, selection process and sponsor limits from the 2026 round, in order to ensure that they can continue to run the scheme in a sustainable way.
- In order to be eligible, applicants must have been awarded their PhD or successfully defended their doctoral thesis by the closing date for applications, and have no more than five years’ active full-time postdoctoral experience post-PhD, taking into account career breaks
- Sponsors are limited to supporting one application per round. This does not mean one application per institution, it means that each UK academic Sponsor can only support one application in any round.
- Selection process:
- There will be a single submission application process but application forms will be reviewed in two parts, with a ‘triaging’ stage by committee based on the outline application part. Full applications will then be reviewed for those applicants that are longlisted.
Additional awards
Earlier this year, the Royal Society announced up to £30m in funding over the next two years to attract global talent to the UK. As part of this announcement, an allocation of £10m will be used to attract early career researchers from overseas, including through the Newton International Fellowships, University Research Fellowships and Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships. Royal Society anticipate making additional awards through the scheme standard rounds. Applicants should submit their application through the standard NIF round.
Privately-Funded Fellowships
Royal society welcome applications from all countries.
The Royal Society’s partnership with the K C Wong Education Foundation also allows them to fund additional fellowships for applicants applying from China. These awards are termed Royal Society K C Wong International Fellowships.
It is not possible to apply directly for one of these fellowships. They are selected from the same pool of applicants as the Newton International Fellowships and are of equal value and prestige.
What does the scheme offer?
The maximum award value will be £280,000 over two years.
Funds can cover:
- basic salary as set by the host institution and associated on-costs
- research expenses
- relocation and visa costs for Newton International 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
- estate costs and indirect costs
Further detail on these changes is available in the scheme notes and in the Royal Society Funding Guidance (costing policy)
Royal Society provides flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities. There is provision for maternity, paternity, shared parental, 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.
Successful applicants may also be eligible to receive alumni funding to support continued networking activities with UK-based researchers following completion of their fellowship.
Eligibility Criteria
This scheme is for you if:
- You have a PhD, or will have successfully defended your doctoral thesis before the closing date for applications
- You have no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral experience post-PhD at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry on research)
- You are based outside the UK
- You do not hold UK citizenship
- You are competent in oral and written English
- Your research is within the Royal Society’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 the Royal Society. Applications for the humanities and social sciences should be made to the British Academy.
All applications are developed with the support of a UK sponsor. The Sponsor should work with the lead applicant to develop the project proposal and should provide mentoring, support, and guidance throughout the duration of the award. Please note, Sponsors are limited to supporting one application per round. This does not mean one application per institution, it means that each UK academic Sponsor can only support one application in any round.
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.
How to Apply
You will apply through the application and grant management system, Flexi-Grant®.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and below for details specific to this scheme.
Assessment of your application will be overseen by one of the four Newton International Fellowship Programme Panels. Following eligibility checks, outline applications are initially reviewed by two members of the Panel who have the most appropriate expertise. Longlisted full applications will then be reviewed ahead of shortlisting, with shortlisted applications then discussed at a Panel meeting where recommendations for funding are made.
Click Here To Apply
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