Royal Society Industry Fellowships 2022

The Royal Society Industry Fellowships are open to academic and industrial researchers from early to senior career stage based in the UK (see eligibility below). The aims of the scheme are to:

• Support mobility of excellent academic or industry researchers between the two sectors in the UK, across the natural sciences.
• Enable the fellow to develop and establish collaborative links between the academic and industry organisations, which may lead to longer term collaborations.
• Support the career development of the fellow (and their team) through the cross-sector collaborative research experience afforded by the fellowship.
• Enhance knowledge exchange in science and technology between industry and academia.

Fellowships can be held up to four years part-time or two years full-time, and offer flexible support.  Secondments must be between the academic and industry sector and can be held in a range of UK-based industries/companies including small and medium-sized companies, as well as UK Universities and not-for-profit research organisations.

The scheme provides a basic salary for the researcher and a contribution towards research costs. It is currently funded by the Royal Society and Rolls-Royce plc.

For shorter term (3-6 months full time or up to 12 months part time) collaborative projects between industry and academia, see the Short Industry Fellowship – this scheme will next open to applications on 17 April 2022 and will close on 2 June 2022.

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.

Eligibility

You can apply for this scheme if you:

• have a PhD or are of equivalent standing in your profession
• hold a permanent post or have an ‘open-ended contract’ in either a university, not-for-profit research organisation or industry in the UK
• are at a stage in your career when you would particularly benefit from establishing or strengthening personal or corporate links between academia and industry as a foundation for long-term collaboration and development

You should clearly state how the fellowship will benefit the not-for-profit research organisation and the industrial partner, including any potential to lead to longer-term collaboration.

The Royal Society actively seek applications from underrepresented groups to increase the diversity of grant holders with a focus on improved gender balance, greater representation from BAME groups and wider UK institutional reach.

The scheme provides the applicant’s basic salary while on secondment. The employing organisation continue to pay national insurance and pension contributions. Research expenses may be claimed up to the value of £4,000 per year, and may be used to support summer studentships at £2,000 per year.

Awards can be for any period up to two years full-time or a maximum of four years pro rata, i.e. an award could be held at 50% part-time for four years enabling fellows to maintain links with their employing institution more easily.

Applications are initially assessed by panel members and a shortlist is drawn up. Shortlisted applications are then sent for independent review and are finally considered at a panel meeting. It is expected that applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application four months after the closing date.

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 (see below for contact details). Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

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