Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships | Future Engineering Leaders

Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships: A Pathway for Future Engineering Leaders

The Royal Academy of Engineering offers prestigious Research Fellowships annually to support exceptional early-career researchers in establishing themselves as future leaders in the field of engineering. These fellowships provide a unique opportunity for talented individuals to advance their research while benefiting from financial aid, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Application Details

Deadline: 17 September 2025, 4 PM BST
Applications for the 2025/26 round are currently open.

Objectives of the Fellowship

The Research Fellowship programme is designed to:

Support early-career researchers in gaining independence and building an international reputation.
Provide long-term funding to enable ambitious engineering research projects.
Develop advocates for STEM disciplines and ambassadors for the Academy.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to researchers worldwide who obtained their PhD within the last four years.
Must be held at a UK higher education institution or a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
The host institution must provide full support equivalent to that of a permanent employee.
The research project must be within the broad field of engineering.
No restrictions on nationality or age.
Applications from previous unsuccessful candidates are welcome.
Fellowships must commence between 1 August 2026 and 31 October 2026.
The scheme allows part-time fellowships (minimum 50% of full-time equivalent).

Financial Support

The fellowship provides funding of up to £625,000 over five years at 80% of full economic costs. The scheme is primarily funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with additional co-funding from the UK-based medical charity Rosetrees for select awardees.

Benefits of the Fellowship

Mentorship from Academy Fellows to guide research and career development.
Reduced administrative and teaching workload to focus on research.
Access to training, additional funding opportunities, and networking events.
Improved prospects for securing further research funding and expanding research teams.
Inclusion in the RAEng Awardee Excellence Community.

Changes in the 2025/26 Round

Unlike previous years, the Engineering for Development Research Fellowship (EDRF) scheme has been removed. However, applications under the EDRF category will still be accepted and considered alongside regular Research Fellowship applications.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the Academy’s Grants Management System (GMS). Each host institution has a limit on the number of applications they can submit and may have an internal selection process.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of three stages:

General Review: Initial assessment by three non-expert reviewers, followed by a sift panel selection.
Expert Review: Shortlisted applications reviewed by subject experts, followed by further shortlisting.
Interview: A 30-minute online interview with a panel of Academy Fellows, including a five-minute presentation by the candidate. The final selection is based on ranking.

Assessment Criteria

Candidate’s potential
Quality and vision of the research proposal
Research environment and institutional support
Resource and project management
Impact and beneficiaries of the research

Important Notes

Research Fellowships cannot be jointly hosted by multiple institutions.
Applicants must secure approval from their host institution before applying.
Incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply