Research Fellows
Research fellows are a vitally important part of the School, often comprising almost one quarter of our research staff, and are our most valued asset, and we will work closely with you to provide whatever support is useful to you. Our Fellows are funded from a wide range of sources – in recent years we have sponsored successful applications to BBSRC, NERC, MRC, Wellcome, UKRI-FLF, European Commission, AXA, Royal Society, NIH, the Leverhulme Trust, NSERC (Canada) and others. The University of Glasgow also has dedicated funding schemes for topping-up external fellowships (our LKAS leaderships fellowships), which can allow fellows to significantly expand the scope of the work they wish to conduct by up to £100k (but depending a bit on the size of the fellowship).
Fellowship Success
Candidates applying for Fellowships to work with us have a high success rate, many go on to secure subsequent funding to extend their work, and we have an excellent record of proleptically appointing our senior fellows. Once we have agreed to sponsor an applicant, we aim to provide support throughout the fellowship application process by drawing on our substantial experience within the School. For this purpose the School has set up a Fellowship Committee to act as first point-of-contact for prospective Fellows, and provide support both for Fellowship development and to Fellows who are already working with us.
External Collaboration
While many of our Fellows are employed through the University of Glasgow, we also work with Fellows based at collaborating institutes in common strategic priority areas; with a view to developing future research partnerships. In particular, we have a strong track record of providing mentorship and support to Fellows from low-and-middle-income countries through external schemes (e.g. Wellcome Fellowships). Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Fellowship Options
Information on selected Fellowship opportunities is provided in the table below (check websites for most up to date information, and eligibility – we don’t provide links as they change all the time). The EU fellowships are a bit of a moving target just now, and we’ll update as the situation becomes clearer.
This scheme will support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage. The funding can be used for research or research-adjacent activities, such as training, secondments, and networking.È
Fellowship |
Amount |
Duration |
Deadline |
Notes |
NERC Independent Research Fellowships |
Typically £500k+ |
5 years |
One per year, usually in October
|
A senior fellowship |
BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship |
Typically £500k+ |
5 years |
One per year, usually in October
|
A senior fellowship Currently suspended |
BBSRC Discovery Fellowship |
Fixed £500k |
3 years |
One per year, in May
|
Suitable for slightly earlier career stage than the senior fellowships |
MRC New Investigator Award |
50% Salary + justified research costs |
3 years |
3 times per year Usually around January, May and September. |
Requires LKAS funding to supply other 50% of salary |
UKRI Future Leaders Fellows (FLF) |
Tapered salary contributions + research costs |
8 years |
Varies |
A senior fellowship. The application process is particularly complex and involves an internal selection process. Contact us if interested |
UKRI Daphne Jackson fellowship
|
Typically £500k+ |
Flexible |
No closing date |
A senior fellowship. These fellowships are for those looking to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons. |
Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF) |
Typically £500k+ |
Up to 8 years |
One per year, September |
A mid-to-senior fellowship |
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship |
Typically £500k+ |
Highly flexible |
Once per year, November |
Offers a first step into an independent research career for scientists who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities and/or health-related conditions. |
Royal Society Newton International Fellowship |
About £420k |
3 years |
Once per year, March |
An earlier career fellowship |
1851 Research Fellowships |
Salary + £10k |
3 years |
One per year, January |
An earlier career fellowship |
Wellcome Early-Career Awards |
Salary + £400k expenses |
Usually 5 years |
One per year, May |
|
Wellcome Career Development Awards
|
Salary and substantial research expenses as required |
Usually 8 years |
One per year, July |
A more senior fellowship |
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships |
50% of salary provided |
3 years |
One per year, February |
An earlier career fellowship.Requires LKAS funding to supply other 50% of salary |
Human Frontiers Science Program Cross-disciplinary and long-tern Fellowships |
Salary + research expenses |
3 years |
Letter of intent due May, full proposals by September |
Applications for interdisciplinary high-risk projects are particularly encouraged |
Marie Curie Global Postdoctoral Fellowships |
Fixed, salary + modest research costs |
3 years |
One per year, September |
An earlier career fellowship. The first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated third country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. |
ERC Starting grant |
Up to €1.5m |
5 years |
Once per year, September |
A more senior fellowship |
Wellcome Accelerator Awards |
Salary + up to £200,000 for project expenses |
2 years |
Once per year, June |
This scheme will support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage. |
Support available
The type of support and advice we can provide includes:
- Advice on which Fellowships and funding schemes might be appropriate
- Help preparing your budget
- Advice on supporting applications to our LKAS ‘top-up’ scheme
- Assistance with identification of suitable mentors and sponsors
- Examples of previous applications to your funder
- Support for fellowship proposal development
- Help preparing for your interview
- Mentorship and career development advice for Fellows post-award
Get in touch early as these processes often require at least 2-3 months preparation.
Join us on an externally funded Fellowship
If you are interested in joining us on an externally funded Fellowship you should contact us by either writing directly to any of our investigators who you may wish to act as a sponsor, or by writing to the Fellowship Committee: sbohvm-fellowships@glasgow.ac.uk
Fellowship committee members: