+ More Filters

Reset Filters

Title

Funding Organization

Funding Type

Eligible Country

Deadline

Other (Select all that apply)

Show Expired Programs

Show Verified Programs

Not Verified

Early Career Fellowships

Leverhulme Trust

For early career researchers, with a research record but who have not yet held a full-time permanent academic post, to undertake a significant piece of publishable work

Fellowships can be held at UK universities with research degree awarding powers.

The Fellowships are intended to assist those at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, and it is hoped that the appointment would lead to a more permanent position for the individual, either within the same or another university.

Value

The scheme is based on a pattern of joint support whereby the Leverhulme Trust will contribute 100% of the Fellow’s total salary costs (including National Insurance, superannuation and London allowance, where applicable) up to a maximum of £56,000 in year one of the award. The Trust will then contribute 50% of the Fellow’s total salary costs up to an annual maximum of £28,000 in years two and three, and the balance is to be paid by the host university. The Trust’s contribution in subsequent years will normally increase in line with pay awards and normal increments up to the annual maximum of £56,000 in year one and £28,000 in years two and three. The Trust’s maximum annual contribution will be pro-rated if the Fellowship is held on a part-time basis. The Fellow may request up to £6,000 per annum in research expenses to further their research activities.

Duration

Fellowships are tenable for 3 years on a full-time basis. The Trust will support requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period for health related reasons, disability or childcare commitments.

AI based application success predictor

According to the Trust’s own guidance, successful applications reflect outstanding scholarship and a distinctive intellectual vision. The following factors are strong predictors of success:

✔ 1. Originality & Intellectual Vision

The Trust prioritises research that is innovative and goes beyond incremental advances — especially where the applicant believes a topic is an important frontier in the field. leverhulme.ac.uk

Success tip: Frame your proposal around questions no one is yet exploring thoroughly and demonstrate how your project will open new avenues for research.

✔ 2. Importance & Broader Relevance

Projects should promise to enable further enquiry and have significance outside a narrow domain. Work that engages with ideas beyond a single discipline is particularly welcome. leverhulme.ac.uk

Success tip: Explain how your research connects to broader intellectual or societal debates.

✔ 3. Methodological Merit & Feasibility

Even for “blue skies” ideas, proposals should have a sound research design and realistic plan for execution that trustees can judge as feasible. leverhulme.ac.uk

Success tip: Provide clear stages, milestones and justification of methods — even in interdisciplinary contexts.

✔ 4. Applicants’ Track Record & Environment

Reviewers assess whether the applicant and host institution are well-placed to realise the research objectives — including evidence of relevant expertise and institutional support. leverhulme.ac.uk

Success tip: Highlight past outputs and institutional commitments that support the project’s success.

✔ 5. Willingness to Take Appropriate Risks

The Trust values work that pushes disciplinary boundaries or takes intellectual risks with potential for high scholarly payoff. leverhulme.ac.uk

Success tip: Make a compelling case for why the risk is justified and how it might lead to significant new insights.

🧠 Practical Application Tips

✔ Match scheme to career stage: Research Project Grants suit established projects; Early Career or Major Fellowships fit career development needs. leverhulme.ac.uk+1
✔ Justify why Leverhulme is the right funder: Explicitly explain why other funders aren’t more suitable, especially when the Trust’s distinctive remit is about originality. leverhulme.ac.uk
✔ Build a compelling narrative: Articulate why this project matters now and its scholarly impact over time. leverhulme.ac.uk
✔ Demonstrate feasibility without over-specifying rigid outcomes: Trust reviewers value flexibility when managing ambitious research. leverhulme.ac.uk

📌 Summary: Leverhulme Trust Success Checklist

Predictor	Why It Matters
Originality & risk-taking	Core to Trust mission. leverhulme.ac.uk
Importance & broad relevance	Signals impact beyond narrow fields. leverhulme.ac.uk
Strong methodology	Ensures feasible scholarship. leverhulme.ac.uk
Competent investigator	Shows ability to deliver. leverhulme.ac.uk
Appropriate scheme match	Aligns award to career and goals. le

Specialties

Public Health

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must not yet have held a full-time permanent academic post in a UK university or comparable UK or non-UK institution, nor may Fellows hold such a post concurrently with the Early Career Fellowship. The Trust will consider applications from candidates whose permanent post does not include any research.

Those in receipt of a stipendiary Fellowship may not hold this at the same time as an Early Career Fellowship.

Academic status

All candidates must hold a doctorate by the time they take up the Fellowship.

Those who are or have been registered for a doctorate at any time may apply only if they have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination by 4pm on the closing date of 19 February 2026.

Candidates must not be registered for degrees, professional or vocational qualifications at the time of commencing the Fellowship.

All candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination not more than four years prior to the application closing date. Hence those who formally submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination before 19 February 2022 are not eligible unless they have since had a career break. Those wishing to make a case for a career break should present the case for interruption by a period of maternity leave, family commitments, illness, or other exceptional circumstances. Please note that time spent working outside academia does not qualify as a career break. Applicants with a disability who wish to make a case for the extension of the four-year eligibility window may do so using the career break section of the application form.

Applicants must either hold a degree (any degree) from a UK higher education institution at the time of taking up the Fellowship or at the time of the application deadline must hold an academic position in the UK (e.g. fixed-term lectureship, fellowship) which commenced no less than 4 months prior to the closing date. Hence, those who do not hold a UK degree and whose UK academic position commenced after October 2025 are not eligible. The Trust will consider candidates without a UK degree whose UK academic post commenced after October 2025 if they have been in continuous UK academic employment for more than 4 months prior to the deadline. The intention is to support the career development of those building an academic career within the UK.

Candidates who have held or currently hold postdoctoral positions to pursue their own research project totalling 3 or more years are not eligible to apply. Please note, this refers to the full duration of the post/s and not the duration completed at the time of application or start of the Fellowship.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Leverhulme Trust

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1 Pemberton Row London EC4A 3BG

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity