Submit Applications for Wolfson Visiting Fellowships (Round 1) – UK

Objectives

• The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships are to:
  • Enable UK Universities and Research Institutions to attract talented international researchers in key strategic areas to the UK from overseas.
  • Enable the Visiting Fellow and the hos

Subjects Covered

• Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.
• Submissions from clinically qualified scientists may be considered. The Society does not support clinical or interventional research on humans at the individual or group level, social sciences or humanities, unless otherwise stated.

Funding Information

• Candidates can request up to £125,000, excluding visa and relocation costs.
• Funds can cover:
  • Bursary for Visiting Fellows of up to £80,000 per annum full time (or pro-rated if held part-time), although this could be supplemented at the discretion of the host organisation;
  • Research expenses including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment of up to £10,000, and other appropriate and justified costs (including fieldwork
• Length of tenure: Visiting Fellowships can be for 12 months full time or can be spread over a 24-month period, with a minimum 3 month visit period at any time.
• Fellowships are expected to commence between 01 April 2025 and 30 June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• This scheme is aimed at talented scientific research leaders or exceptional international researchers at the peak of their career with proven track record for high quality, independent scientific research and experience of working collaboratively and who wish to undertake a 12-month sabbatical period (full-time or flexibly over 24 months) at an eligible UK academic institution.
• Nominated researchers must have received a firm offer to take effect from the start of the appointment. This offer can be grant dependent.
• Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellows requiring a visa to work in the UK are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement. Other visa routes are available. In line with the highly prestigious nature of the award, the Global Talent visa is designed for people who are recognised as leaders and potential leaders in their field.
• They particularly welcome applications from women, disabled and ethnic minority candidates.
• Host Organisation Eligibility:
  • Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship appointments must be held at a UK university or not-for-profit research institution. The grants are made to the nominating host organisation and therefore non-transferable. As such if the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellow leaves the host organisation during the tenure of their fellowship award, the grant will be withdrawn with no further funding provided.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants currently based in the UK are not eligible to apply, with the exception of applicants who are refugees in the UK according to the Geneva convention.
• The grant cannot be used for researchers wishing to move between UK institutions.

Assessment Criteria

• The research track record of the candidate (taking into consideration any career breaks). Candidates should be talented researchers with a proven track record for high quality scientific research. This may include, as appropriate: a strong publication record, being invited to conferences as keynote speaker and evidence of scientific leadership.
• The strength of the strategic case for the nomination and fit to the institution’s scientific strategy.
• The mutual benefit to the host organisation and researcher, including potential to develop ongoing international collaborative links, supervise or mentor junior researchers, share ideas and practice. The Panel would like to see details of the candidate’s collaborations during the visit and the benefits for the UK host institution.
• The high quality and originality of the candidate’s proposed research vision and the contribution that the researcher can make to the furtherance of UK research in their field as well as potential benefit to the UK science base.
• The quality and suitability of the host organisation for the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship candidate including the organisation’s commitment to supporting the researcher during the sabbatical period.

For more information, visit The Royal Society.