DAMTP Internal Deadline: midday (BST) Monday 1st December 2025

1851 Research Fellowships are intended to give early career (3 years or less postdoctoral experience) scientists or engineers of exceptional promise the opportunity to conduct a research project of their own instigation; an ultimate objective is to contribute to the knowledge base required for a healthy and innovative national culture. Around eight awards are made each year. Candidates proposing projects in applied science and engineering are particularly encouraged to apply.

Starting Date: October 2026

Tenure: up to 36 months

Due to the numbers of candidates applying to this scheme, applications will be subject to an internal review and selection by DAMTP Directors Committee (DDC). 

Potential applicants should first contact a member of DAMTP academic staff in an appropriate area to discuss the possibility of submitting a pre-application to the DDC.

Once applicants have identified a member of DAMTP academic staff to sponsor their application, a pre-application may be made by submitting:

• CV
• Publication list
• Draft of the application to the scheme (not necessarily a final version)
• Two letters of reference, at least one of which must be from outside Cambridge.

Pre-applications should be sent to grants@damtp.cam.ac.uk with attachments as pdf or Word document format files.

Applicants must also ask their referees to submit their reference letters to the above email address. In addition, they must arrange for the DAMTP academic staff member to send a statement of support.

In order to be considered, pre-applications and reference letters must be received no later than midday (BST) on Monday, 1st December 2025. 

Successful pre-application candidates will be provided with support and advice to develop their application before submission to the funder.

Timeline:

• Deadline for selection by the DDC - midday (BST) Monday 1st December
• One week turnaround for review and selection
• Selected candidates informed in w/c 8th December
• Applicants liaise with DAMTP Grants team (by 15th December)
• Administrative aspects finalised by close of play Friday 9th January
• Final submission to the funder - 12 noon GMT Tuesday, 13th January 2026.