DAMTP Internal Deadline: midday (GMT) Monday 30th November 2026

1851 Research Fellowships are intended to give early career (2,5 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. Candidates proposing projects in applied science and engineering are particularly encouraged to apply.

Around eight awards are made each year. Repeat applications for the same projects from previously unsuccessful applicants will not be accepted.

Applicant eligibility: the Fellowships are open to candidates intending to conduct research in any of the physical or biological sciences, in mathematics, in applied science, or any branch of engineering. However, engineers proposing research which addresses the primary infrastructure needs of modern society should apply for a Brunel Fellowship instead. 

Candidates should hold a PhD or be in the final stages of their PhD studies, to be successfully completed before the award of a Fellowship can be confirmed. Given that these are early career awards, those with more than 2.5years postdoctoral research experience (discounting career breaks) by 31 January 2027 will only be considered in exceptional circumstances (exemptions are rarely granted). 

The research should be carried out at a different Institution from the one where the candidate's PhD research was undertaken. There is an expectation from the Commissioners that candidates do not apply to remain at their current institutions, even when it is not their PhD institution.

Please refer to 2027 Terms and Conditions for more information on eligibility criteria.

Starting Date: October 2027

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 (GMT) on Monday, 30th November 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

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 (GMT) Monday 30th November 2026
• One week turnaround for review and selection
• Selected candidates informed in w/c 7th December 2026
• Applicants liaise with DAMTP Grants team (by 16th December 2026)
• Administrative aspects finalised by close of play Wednesday 13th January 2027
• Final submission to the funder - 12 noon GMT Wednesday, 20th January 2027.