Royal Academy of Engineering 2022 Research Fellowships

The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships each year to outstanding early-career researchers to support them to become future research leaders in engineering. The scheme's objectives are to:

• support the best early-career researchers in establishing their independence and international reputation
• provide long-term support enabling the pursuit of an ambitious programme of engineering research and impact
• develop ambassadors for the Academy and advocates for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines

The Academy welcomes applications from early-career researchers worldwide who have been awarded their PhD in the last four years. The scheme provides funding for five years. Each application is capped at a maximum contribution from the Academy of £625,000 over the five-year period, at 80% of full economic costs. Research Fellowships must be held at a UK higher education institution/university or at a UK research organisation eligible to receive UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.

The 2022/23 round accepts applications for the following research fellowship schemes: 

1. Research Fellowship
2. Engineering for Development Research Fellowship

• Table of Content
• About Royal Academy of Engineering
• Research Fellowships
• Aim and Benefits of Research Fellowships
• Requirements for Research Fellowships Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Royal Academy of Engineering

Research Fellowships

Aim and Benefits of Research Fellowships

In addition to the direct financial support, the scheme benefits include:

• an opportunity to establish a research track record and in turn be in a stronger position to apply for additional funding and grow own research team
• mentoring support from an Academy Fellow to offer advice on research and career development
• reduction of teaching and administrative duties to dedicate time to research
• training opportunities
• networking opportunities with other Research Fellows and Academy Fellows

Requirements for Research Fellowships Qualification

1. Research Fellowships must be held one of the following eligible institutions that can show it is capable of fully supporting an engineering-focused research project and researcher: a UK higher education instiution/university or a UK research organisation that is eligible to receive UKRI funding. (A list of eligible research organisations is included in the application guidance notes)
2. Research Fellowships cannot be jointly hosted by multiple institutions
3. The host institution must agree to provide the Research Fellow all the support normal for a permanent employee.
4. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the host institution to gain their formal approval before submitting an application.
5. The proposed research project must be in an engineering subject area. Engineering is defined in its broadest sense, encompassing a wide range of diverse fields.
6. Research Fellowships are aimed at early-career researchers. Applicants must have a PhD, which was awarded (or the PhD has been unconditionally approved) no more than four years before the submission deadline: Tuesday 20 September 2022. This period includes applicants’ work experience in academia or/and in industry in the UK or/and worldwide. A margin of up to three months more than the four-year limit is acceptable. If applicants have had maternity/paternity leave or other extenuating circumstances (e.g. extended sick leave, national service, or caring responsibilities), this will be taken into consideration if the relevant dates and details are provided in the application form.
7. Research Fellows will be employed by the host institution and are required to devote all their working time to the Research Fellowship programme of work. The Research Fellowship must be the Research Fellow’s only source of employment. The Research Fellow should be based at the host institution for more than 50% of the Research Fellowship. If the Research Fellow needs to work more than 50% of the Research Fellowship outside the host institution, justification must be provided in the application form (Choice of host institution).
8. There are no nationality and age restrictions for applicants. The host institution is responsible for securing all necessary work permits and related costs for the Research Fellows.
9. Applicants who have applied to this scheme before and were unsuccessful are eligible to reapply. These applications will be considered as new applications.
10. Research Fellowships must begin between 1 August 2023 and 31 October 2023. The duration of a Research Fellowship is five years full time, calculated on a pro-rata basis for part-time awards. Requests for a shorter Research Fellowship are not accepted.
11. There is a limit on the number of applications each host institution can submit (see Application limit).
12. Any applications that are incomplete or do not adhere to the guidance will be rejected.
13. Once submitted the application cannot be edited and updated.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Research Fellowships must be held at one of the following eligible institutions that can show it is capable of fully supporting an engineering-focused research project and researcher:

• a UK higher education institution/university or
• a UK research organisation that is eligible to receive UKRI funding. (A list of eligible research organisations is included in the applicant guidance notes)

In addition, the host institution must agree to provide the Research Fellow all the support normal for a permanent employee. Research Fellowships cannot be jointly hosted by mutiple institutions.

There is a limit on the number of applications each host institution can submit. Host institutions are likely to have an internal selection process that applicants must find out in advance.

There are no nationality and age restrictions for applicants. The host institution is responsible for securing all necessary work permits and related costs for the Research Fellows. 

For more details, visit Royal Academy of Engineering website.