+ 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

Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship 2026 round 2

The Wolfson Foundation

The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships enable UK Universities and not-for-profit Research Institutions to attract and recruit internationally leading researchers (and their teams) to their organisation. The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships are to:

enable UK universities and research institutions to attract outstanding emerging or established international research leaders in key strategic areas to the UK from overseas
enable the Visiting Fellow and the host UK organisation to develop ongoing collaborative research links, share ideas and practice

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

Award holders can now start their Fellowship up to one year from the offer of award being made, allowing flexibility for the visit(s) start date.

Data on UK partners

To enable better evaluation of the impact of the collaborations supported by these visiting fellowships, the application form has been updated to include a section on the UK collaborator and the potential benefits of the proposed research to the UK more broadly. The UK collaborator can be at any career stage, and their track record will not form part of the assessment of the proposal.

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 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?

Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships can be for 12 months full-time or can be spread over a 24-month period, with a minimum 3 month visit period at any time over the course of the 24 months (totalling 12 months). Candidates can request up to £125,000.

Funds can cover:

Bursary for Visiting Fellows – up to £80,000 per annum full time, although this could be supplemented at the discretion of the host organisation
Research expenses – Including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment, and other appropriate and justified costs (including fieldwork). Reasonable accommodation and subsistence costs may also be requested as research expenses
Relocation and visa costs for Royal Society Wolfson Visiting 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

If the candidate’s salary is already covered by their overseas host organisation, then the Visiting Fellowship funding should not be used to supplement existing salary, as any overheads associated with the Visiting Fellowship should be covered by the UK host organisation as part of its commitment to the appointment.

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

Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes.

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

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/li>
You are currently based overseas, and have not developed significant collaborations with the host institution before this fellowship. 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

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