Newton International Fellowships Scheme

This fellowship is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK.

This scheme is currently open to applications

The Newton International Fellowships are now open for applications. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 13 March at 3pm, UK time. 

• Newton International Fellowship scheme notes 2024 (PDF, 324.2kb)
• Newton International Fellowships 2024 – FAQs (PDF, 187.6kb)
• Royal Society Conditions of Award (PDF, 238.8kb)

Apply for this Scheme on Flexi-Grant

Changes to the scheme – 2024

Fellowships awarded in the 2024 round will be two years in duration. 

The maximum award value will be £280,000 over two years.

Further detail on these changes is available in the scheme notes and in our grant funding guidance.

About the scheme

This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society. 

Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.

Applications for the humanities and social sciences should be made to the British Academy.

If you are unsure about which academy to apply to, contact info@newtonfellowships.org. 

ISPF – Funded and privately funded fellowships

We welcome applications from all countries.

The Royal Society also has funding through the International Science Partnerships Fund to support additional Newton International Fellowships for applicants applying from Switzerland.

The Royal Society’s partnership with the K C Wong Education Foundation also allows us to fund additional fellowships for applicants applying from China. These awards are termed Royal Society K C Wong International Fellowships.

It is not possible to apply directly for one of these fellowships. They are selected from the same pool of applicants as the Newton International Fellowships and are of equal value and prestige.   

Am I eligible to apply? 

To be eligible to apply you must:

• have a PhD, or will have a PhD by the time the funding starts
• have no more than seven years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry on research)
• be working outside the UK
• not hold UK citizenship
• be competent in oral and written English

All applications are developed with the support of a UK sponsor. The Sponsor should work with the lead applicant to develop the project proposal and should provide mentoring, support and guidance throughout the duration of the award. For full details of all eligibility requirements, please read the scheme notes.  

What is the scheme’s value and tenure?

Applicants in the 2024 round are permitted to apply for up to £280,000. This is a maximum value over two years.

For successful applicants in 2024, the Newton International Fellowships provide funding for two years, covering: 

• basic salary as set by the host institution and associated on-costs 
• research expenses 
• relocation and visa costs for Newton International Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded in order to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application.
• estate costs and indirect costs 

The funding will be provided on a FEC basis as outlined in the Royal Society’s funding guidance. 

The Newton International Fellowship is a flexible award. It can be held on either a full-time or on a part-time basis for health reasons and caring responsibilities. There is also provision for maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, adoptive or extended sick leave as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.

Successful applicants may also be eligible to receive alumni funding following completion of their fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based researchers.

What is the application process?

Applications for the natural and physical sciences should be submitted through the Royal Society’s grants management system Flexi-Grant®.

Your application will go through the process detailed on the Making a grant application page, overseen by the Newton International Fellowships Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences Panels.

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 EDI principles in all aspects of the grant making process and help ensure that all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria. We particularly welcome applications from women, disabled and ethnic minority candidates. See below for details of reasonable adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants and grant-holders. This includes ensuring all panel members are briefed on unconscious bias in decision making as part of our assessment process.  

Support for applicants with disabilities

The Royal Society welcomes applications from scientists with disabilities and provides adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you need an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants team on info@newtonfellowships.org or +44 20 7451 2666. Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

• extension of the deadline
• additional support to complete the application form

For more information regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on info@newtonfellowships.org or visit our contact us page.