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Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026 and Royal Society, UK
The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026 is a flagship recruitment award designed to enable UK universities and not-for-profit research institutions to attract the world’s most talented research leaders. Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society, this five-year fellowship provides long-term support and flexible funding for researchers wishing to relocate to the UK. The program aims to strengthen the UK scientific community by building a critical mass of excellence in strategically important fields. Consequently, it serves as a powerful tool for institutions to enhance their start-up packages for international recruits.
Program Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Program Title | Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship |
| Funding Body | Royal Society & Wolfson Foundation |
| Award Value | Up to £300,000 |
| Duration | 5 Years |
| 2026 Round 1 Deadline | March 4, 2026 |
| Career Stage | Mid-career and Senior career researchers |
Program Overview
The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026 focuses entirely on international recruitment to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global science. Specifically, the award provides flexible funding that can be used to support the researcher’s program and team, including PhD studentships and research assistance. A secondary strand, the Wolfson Visiting Fellowship, offers up to £125,000 for shorter sabbatical periods. Furthermore, the Royal Society places a strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), encouraging applications from a wide range of backgrounds to maximize scientific innovation.
Key Changes for the 2026 Rounds
Following a recent evaluation, several significant updates have been implemented for the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026:
- Broadened Eligibility: Criteria now include “emerging leaders” (mid-career researchers) alongside established senior leaders.
- Flexible Employment Offers: Candidates no longer require a formal offer of employment at the point of application, though an institutional letter of support must state the intent to offer a full-time post.
- Relocation Window: Researchers who have already arrived in the UK (typically within the last six months) are now eligible to apply.
- Deferred Start Dates: Award holders can now start their fellowship up to one year after the offer is made.
- Biannual Rounds: From 2026, the scheme will run two application rounds per year instead of three.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following standards:
- Career Stage: Must be a mid- or senior-career researcher with a proven track record of high-quality scientific research and leadership.
- Location: Applicants must be currently based overseas (or have relocated to the UK within the last six months).
- Scientific Remit: Research must fall within the natural sciences, including biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics (excluding clinical medicine).
- Institutional Support: Candidates must be nominated by a representative of the host UK university or research institution.
- Nationality: Open to researchers of all nationalities.
Financial Coverage
The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship 2026 provides up to £300,000, which can be used for:
- Salary Enhancement: Up to 20% of the researcher’s total salary.
- Research Expenses: Consumables, travel, small equipment, and fieldwork costs.
- Staffing: Research assistance and four-year PhD studentships.
- Relocation Costs: Visa and relocation expenses for the fellow and their dependents (the grant cap may be exceeded for these costs if justified).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between the Wolfson Fellowship and the Visiting Fellowship?
The main Fellowship is a five-year recruitment award of £300,000 for permanent relocation. The Visiting Fellowship is a 12-month sabbatical award of £125,000 for building international collaborations.
Can I move between two UK institutions using this fellowship?
No, nominations will not be accepted for researchers wishing to move between UK institutions; the scheme is strictly for international recruitment.
Do I need a specific visa to apply?
Awardees are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.
How do I start the application process?
Prospective fellows must first be nominated by their host institution’s Head of Department via the Flexi-Grant system.