Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships

Summary

• Internal Oxford Physics EOI deadline: 06 November 2025, 12:00 BST
• Funder deadline: 13 January 2026, 12:00 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 will only support the employed route of the scheme.
• Oxford Physics is supporting 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.

Each year, around eight fellowships are awarded nationally, making the scheme highly competitive. Oxford Physics therefore operates an internal selection process to identify candidates we can support as host department.

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

Eligibility

• Applicants must either already hold a PhD or be due to complete one before taking up the fellowship in October 2026. All candidates must have their PhD formally awarded by 31 December 2026.
• Applicants must normally have ≤3 years’ postdoctoral experience at the anticipated start date (October 2026). Applicants with more experience may be considered only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. career breaks, industry time) and must provide a justification in their EOI form.
• Fellows must normally move to a different institution from both their PhD institution and their current host institution. Applicants who wish to remain must justify their case (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 (2026 round)

• 06 November 2025, 12:00 BST – Oxford Physics internal EOI deadline
  Submit your completed EOI form and supporting document to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk, CC’ing your Oxford Physics sponsor.
• w/c 17 November 2025 – Results of internal sub-department selection announced
• 13 January 2026, 12:00 GMT – Funder deadline via the 1851 online portal

Your EOI submission must include:

• Completed Oxford Physics 1851 EOI form (Word template).
• One additional document (max 2 pages, PDF) containing your academic CV and a list of research outputs/publications.
• Sponsor copied into your 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.

EOI assessment - Sub-departmental panels will assess EOIs against 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 >3 years’ postdoctoral experience, or who wish to remain at their PhD/current host institution, must provide a short justification in the EOI form. 

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.