The scheme will open on 14th July 2026. Closing date for applications - 9th September 2026.

DAMTP Internal Deadline: midday (BST) Monday 20th July 2026

Prospective Starting Date: 1st October 2027

Tenure: Initially five years with a possible further extension of three years (see Royal Society Scheme for further details).

Salary: £47,389 to £59,966 per annum

The Royal Society introduced the University Research Fellowship (URF) scheme in 1983 to support the most promising early career postdoctoral scientists to build independent research careers and give them the freedom to pursue innovative and often transformative scientific research.

The University Research Fellowship (URF) programme aims to support the next generation of research leaders to undertake cutting-edge research.

The objectives of the URF programme are to enable outstanding early career scientists with the potential to become leaders in their field to:

• Build an independent research career at a UK university or research institution
• Gain the freedom, time, and long-term flexible support to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of scientific research
• Develop as research leaders by offering tailored high-quality professional development, networking and engagement opportunities

Applicants to the University Research Fellowship should submit a research proposal and costs for eight years. Costs for years six to eight will be subject to satisfactory progress and completion of a mid-fellowship review at the start of year four.

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, 20th July 2026. We expect to inform all applicants of the outcome in the week commencing 27th July.

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

Timeline:

• Deadline for selection by the DDC - midday (BST) Monday 20th July 
• One week turnaround for review and selection
• Selected candidates informed in w/c 27th July
• Applicants liaise with DAMTP Grants team
• Financial and administrative aspects finalised by close of play Friday, 7th August
• Requests for Head of Department support statement/invitation to contribute on FlexiGrant - by no later than close of play Monday, 24th August
• Submission on FlexiGrant - Wednesday, 2nd September (to allow time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Operations Office)
• Final submission to the funder - Wednesday, 9th September.