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Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship

The Wolfson Foundation

The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships are to:

enable UK universities and research institutions to strategically recruit and attract outstanding emerging or established international research leaders to the UK from overseas by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research
strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important by the institution

The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships programme also includes a Visiting Fellowship strand.

From 2026 there will be two rounds per year.

The scheme is jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society.

The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.

See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.

Changes to the scheme

Following an evaluation of the scheme, we are implementing the changes below for the 2026 rounds.

Increased flexibility on start dates and/or length of time since candidates moving to the UK

Candidates no longer need to have a formal offer of employment at the point of application. However, award holders will still be expected to be offered (the equivalent of) a full-time post at a UK institution. This intention should be clearly stated in the institutional letter of support.
International researchers who have arrived in the UK prior to the application deadline will now be allowed to apply for the scheme, with the expectation that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than six months. A justification will be requested for applicants already based in the UK at the point of application.
Award holders can now start their Fellowship up to one year from the offer of award being made, allowing flexibility on moving dates and all the arrangements that need to occur to enable a significant move to the UK.
Reflecting the above-mentioned flexibility, the contract start dates no longer need to be identical to the award start dates.

Extending eligibility criteria to emerging leaders as well as established leaders

We are broadening the eligibility criteria to allow for the appointment of emerging leaders without excluding the established leaders the scheme already attracts. This will enable the fellowships to attract and support more talented mid-career researchers. No specific checks will be made in terms of years of research experience, but candidates will need to demonstrate they are internationally-leading independent research groups and are recognised in their field.

Two rounds per year

Given the added flexibility in terms of award start dates, we will now be running two rounds per year instead of three. Round opening dates will be kept under review to ensure the timeframe continues to meet the needs of the applicants and host organisations applying for the scheme.

What does the scheme offer?

This scheme provides up to five years of funding. Up to £300,000 can be requested.

Funds can cover:

Salary enhancement – The institution may include a salary enhancement for the researcher. This will be limited to a maximum of 20% of the total salary
Research expenses – Including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment and other appropriate and justified costs (including fieldwork)
Research assistance
PhD studentship(s)
Relocation and visa costs for Royal Society Wolfson Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application

Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes.

We provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities. There is provision for maternity, paternity, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.

Royal Society Research Fellows also have the opportunity to access a range of career development and engagement opportunities including training on leadership, science communication and public engagement, and activities coordinated by our science policy and schools engagement teams. For further detail on these additional benefits, read our opportunities page.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Transformational Impact (Not Incremental)

Projects must materially change capability—e.g., enabling new research fields, national facilities, or step-changes in teaching or patient care. Routine refurbishments or marginal upgrades rarely succeed.

What reviewers look for: clear before/after contrast; why this facility changes what’s possible.

2. Clear Strategic Fit & National Importance

Successful bids show the project is central to the institution’s long-term strategy and addresses UK-wide or international priorities (research excellence, skills, cultural access, health need).

Tip: Explicitly reference how the project advances recognised priorities (e.g., research leadership, workforce training, inclusion).

3. Strong Institutional Leadership & Governance

Wolfson expects senior-level commitment (VC/CEO/Board), robust governance, and delivery capability.

Evidence that helps: named accountable leads, decision pathways, risk registers, and delivery track records.

4. Credible Co-Funding Secured

Wolfson rarely funds 100%. Competitive projects show confirmed or advanced match funding from public bodies, philanthropy, or institutional capital.

Rule of thumb: the stronger and more diversified the co-funding, the stronger the application.

5. Compelling Case for Need

You must demonstrate why existing facilities are inadequate (capacity limits, obsolescence, compliance gaps) and why now is the right time.

Good practice: data on utilisation, demand growth, compliance risks, or missed opportunities.

6. Excellence of Users & Outputs

Facilities should serve outstanding people and programmes. Reviewers assess the calibre of researchers, educators, clinicians, or cultural practitioners who will use the asset.

Include: brief profiles, outputs enabled (publications, training numbers, exhibitions, patient reach).

7. Design Quality, Readiness & Value for Money

Projects must be well-designed and delivery-ready (clear scope, costings, timelines). Over-specification or vague designs weaken bids.

Show: realistic budgets, procurement plans, sustainability features, and lifecycle value.

8. Public Benefit & Access

Wolfson places weight on wider benefit—public engagement, access, inclusion, regional uplift—beyond the host institution.

⚠️ Common Reasons for Rejection

Project is routine or lacks transformational impact

Insufficient match funding or weak financial planning

Poor strategic articulation or limited national relevance

Delivery risk (immature design, unclear governance)

Specialties

Others

Technology Development

Eligibility Requirements

This scheme is for you if:

You are a mid- or senior career researcher, with a proven track record for high-quality scientific research, which may include, as appropriate: a strong publication record, being invited to conferences as keynote speaker and evidence of scientific leadership and/or supervising or mentoring junior researchers
You are at a stage in your career where you have a well-established, fully independent research programme, and can demonstrate significant contributions to your field of research. The applicant should also consider how the scheme will impact their career trajectory and scientific area
You are currently based overseas, and will receive a firm offer of employment from the UK host organisation if an award is made. International researchers who have arrived in the UK prior to the application deadline are eligible to apply for the scheme provided they have relocated recently, with the expectation being that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than six months at the application deadline date. Nominations will not be accepted for researchers wishing to move between UK institutions
Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.

Applicants can be of any nationality and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.

Read the scheme notes for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: The Wolfson Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

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