Royal Society University Research Fellowships

Summary

Internal Oxford Physics Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline: midday, 30 June 2026
Funder deadline: 9 September 2026, via the Royal Society Flexi-Grant portal

The University Research Fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers with the potential to become leaders in their field. The scheme provides eight years of support, including salary and research expenses, and is open to scientists working within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit. The Royal Society’s guidance for the 2027 round will be published on 14 July 2026 on the Royal Society webpage

Oxford Physics runs an internal selection process because of funder demand management requirements.

All queries: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk

Overview

The Royal Society’s University Research Fellowship (URF) supports early-career scientists with exceptional promise who are ready to transition to independent research leadership. The scheme provides long-term support for developing an independent research programme at a UK host institution. The scheme is aimed at researchers with strong potential for independent research leadership. The Royal Society’s assessment criteria focus on the applicant’s track record, the strength of the proposal, and the suitability of the host organisation (royalsociety.org). Applicants requiring greater flexibility may also wish to consider the Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• hold a PhD
• have between 3 and 8 years of post-PhD research experience at the application deadline, with career breaks and part-time working taken into account
• not hold a permanent academic position, including a proleptic post
• not hold, or have previously held, an equivalent independent fellowship
• propose research within the Royal Society’s remit of the natural sciences
• demonstrate strong potential for research leadership and the ability to deliver an independent programme of research

Applications are open to candidates of all nationalities.

2026 dates and deadlines

30 June 2026 – Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline (see further information below)
w/c 13 July 2026 – Results of internal sift announced
15 July 2026, 11:00 – in-person training session*
16 July 2026, 15:30 – online training session*
2 September 2026 – Internal university deadline; final application and costing must be finalised and submitted
9 September 2026 – Funder deadline via Flexi-Grant

*Applicants must attend one training session. Further information will be made available at a later date. Please contact the Fellowships team if you require adjustments to participate in the training sessions or application process.

Oxford Physics EOI submission

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

• completed Oxford Physics URF 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 copied into the submission email will not be considered.

If you require the EOI form in an alternative format, please contact the Fellowships team directly: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk

Additional information

Sponsor - Applicants must identify an Oxford Physics academic sponsor in advance. The sponsor must be copied into the EOI submission email. If you experience difficulties securing a sponsor, contact fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

EOI assessment - Oxford Physics run a competitive internal sift for demand management purposes. EOIs are reviewed by the appropriate sub-department against a simplified version of the Royal Society URF criteria. Reviewers will consider:

• track record of the applicant, relative to career stage
• research career to date and potential to become a research leader
• scientific merit, originality and feasibility of the proposed project
• likely contribution to the field
• suitability of Oxford Physics as host environment, including infrastructure and support for career development

The Royal Society provides detailed advice and assessment guidance on their URF applicant resources page.

Support for applicants - Selected candidates will receive internal guidance documents. Two workshops will be held to support applicants with the application process. The sessions are identical; selected candidates only need to attend one.

If shortlisted for interview, applicants should inform the Research Facilitation team as early as possible so that mock interview support can be arranged.

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 applications from those with non-linear career paths or those returning to research following a break, for example due to illness, caring responsibilities, parental leave or work outside academia. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any relevant circumstances in their EOI, or to discuss them confidentially with the Research Facilitation team at fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

We particularly encourage EOIs from individuals from underrepresented groups in Physics. If you have difficulty securing a sponsor within the department or need further guidance on this, please contact the facilitation team and we will work with you to provide support. If you require specific support or accommodations during the application process, please let us know.

Applicants requiring greater flexibility may also wish to consider the Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship.

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