Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships

Summary

• Next Internal Oxford Physics EOI deadline: 11 November 2026, 12:00 noon GMT
• Supports outstanding early-career scientists and engineers to establish independent research projects of their own design.
• Awards are for 3 years, covering salary plus £10k per annum research expenses.
• Fellows must normally move to a different institution from both their PhD and current host. Exceptions may be permitted with strong justification (e.g. change of group, caring responsibilities).
• Oxford Physics only supports the employed route of the scheme.
• In the 2027 round, Oxford Physics will only support only one applicant per sub-department.
• All queries: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk

Overview

The 1851 Research Fellowship is awarded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 to early-career scientists and engineers of exceptional promise. Fellows are expected to conduct original, independent research that contributes to the knowledge base required for a healthy and innovative national culture.

The Commission receives around 300-500 applications per year for 9 awards. The success rate is around 2-3%. From 2026, this funder has imposed institutional caps on the number of applications submitted. Oxford Physics operates an internal selection process to identify candidates we will support as host department.

Further information, including full Terms and Conditions, is available on the Royal Commission 1851 website.

Eligibility

• Applicants must have successfully defended their PhD before taking up the fellowship on 01 October 2027. 
• Applicants must have no more than 2.5 years by 31 January 2027. Applicants with more experience may be considered in exceptional circumstances (e.g. career breaks, industry time) and must provide a justification in their EOI form.
• Fellows are strongly expected to move from their PhD institution to take up the award. Remaining at the current postdoctoral institution is discouraged, but a justification can be provided (e.g. change of group, caring responsibilities).
• Repeat applications for the same project are not permitted. If you have previously applied, your new proposal must be substantially different.
• The scheme is open to applicants of all nationalities.
• Oxford Physics will only support the employed route of the fellowship.

Key dates and deadlines (2027 round)

• 11 November 2026, 12:00 GMT – Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline (see below)
• from 25 November 2026 – Results of internal sub-department selection announced
•  13 January 2027 – University of oxford internal approval deadline. Final application and costing must be submitted for internal approval by this date
• 20 January 2027, 12:00 GMT – Funder deadline via the RCE1851 online portal

Oxford Physics Expression of Interest  submission (2027 round)

Submit your EOI to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk, copying your Oxford Physics sponsor. Your submission must include:

• Completed Oxford Physics RCE185 EOI form (Word template, see below);
• One supporting document (max 2 pages, PDF) containing your academic CV and outputs list;
• Sponsor copied into the submission email.  Applications without a sponsor cc’d will not be considered.

Additional information

Sponsor - Applicants must secure an Oxford Physics academic sponsor in advance. This individual must be CC’d on your EOI submission email. If you experience difficulties securing a  sponsor, contact fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk. 

EOI assessment - In 2027, Oxford Physics will support one applicant per sub-department, selected by sub-departmental sift panels.  Sub-departmental panels assess EOIs using the following criteria

• Applicant track record, relative to career stage.
• Research momentum, independence, and potential.
• Novelty, timeliness, and feasibility of the proposed project.
• Fit with Oxford Physics as host environment.
• Alignment with the aims of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

Exemptions - Applicants with >2.5 years’ postdoctoral experience, or who wish to remain at their PhD/current host institution, must provide a short justification in the EOI form.  Please note that the RCE1851 Committee rarely grants exemptions. Commissioners must be convinced that disruption to your postdoctoral experience was exceptional and beyond your control, or that there are challenging personal circumstances for which there is evidence that the proposed research cannot reasonably be undertaken at any other eligible UK host 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Oxford Physics supports flexible working and career breaks, and recognises that a range of personal circumstances may influence career progression. We welcome EOIs from applicants with non-linear career paths, including those returning from breaks for caring responsibilities, illness, or other reasons. 

Applicants can highlight specific considerations in their EOIs. Alternatively, details can be shared with the Research Facilitation team when you submit your EOI (in confidence if required) - email fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk

Individuals from underrepresented groups in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. If you have difficulty securing a sponsor, or if you require specific support or accommodations during the application process, please contact the Fellowships Facilitation Team (in confidence if required): fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

For further information on our approach to EDI, visit our ED&I webpage.