THE INTERNAL PHYSICS SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE CURRENT ROUND OF THIS FELLOWSHIP IS NOW CLOSED
Summary
- Royal Society Deadline: mid-March
- Departmental EOI Deadline: mid-January
- Supports outstanding early-career researchers in developing independent research careers.
- Provides 2 years of funding covering salary, research expenses, and relocation/visa costs (including dependents).
- Open only to researchers based outside the UK who do not hold UK citizenship.
- Applicants must hold a PhD by the start of funding and have no more than seven years of full-time postdoctoral experience.
- A mutually beneficial proposal must be developed with an Oxford Physics host scientist.
- Offers flexibility for personal circumstances, including part-time working.
All questions should be directed to: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.
Overview
This Royal Society scheme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. These fellowships enable researchers to access expertise, gain new perspectives and build long-lasting collaborative relationships. The overarching aim of the Newton International Fellowship programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce.
Further information about this scheme is available on the Royal Society website
Exclusions
- Applicants cannot have lived, worked, or conducted research in the UK for 12 months before the deadline, except for short visits (less than 3 months).
- Those completing their PhD at a UK institution must have worked outside the UK for at least one year by the application deadline.
Further details on eligibility, including exceptions, are available on the Royal Society website.
Typical Timescales
- Royal Society Deadline: Applications close mid-March via the Flexi-Grant portal. University approval is required before submission.
- Internal EOI Deadline: Submit EOIs to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk by mid-January.
- Successful EOI Physics candidates notified mid-February.
EOI submissions should include:
- CV (with career breaks and/or part-time working noted).
- List of publications/outputs.
- Research project summary (1 page).
- *Description of potential benefits to Oxford University, the UK and UK research that will result from the proposed Fellowship (max. 200 words)
- Name of the sub-department you are applying through (Astrophysics, Particle Physics, etc.).
- Sponsor confirmation (CC’d in the email).
Additional Information
- Sponsor: Applications must be developed with the support of a host scientist (Sponsor) in the department. You must work with your sponsor to develop the project proposal; make sure you have contacted them to confirm their support prior to submission on your EOI. Should you require support in securing a sponsor within the department, please contact the facilitation team (fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk)
- Assessment Criteria: Assessment of EOIs will be based on the importance, originality, and feasibility of the research. Specifically: “importance and scientific merit of the proposed research and the clarity, quality and originality of the proposed project and likely contribution to the research field. If the research plan is clearly defined and feasible”
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The scheme accommodates personal circumstances like part-time working, career breaks, and caring responsibilities. Applicants can highlight these in their EOIs. Alternatively, you can share these details with the Research Facilitation team when you submit your EOI (in confidence if required) - email fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk
The department is welcoming of EOIs from all applicants, and individuals from underrepresented groups in Physics are particularly encouraged to apply. If you are likely to need any specific support or accommodations during the application process, please communicate this to us (in confidence if required). Visit our ED&I webpage for further information.