Royal Society / British Academy / Royal Academy of Engineering: Newton International Fellowship Scheme

Deadline: 8 February 2010

The Newton International Fellowship scheme is aimed the very best early stage postdoctoral researchers from all over the world and offers support for two years at UK research institutions. The long-term aim of the scheme is to build a global pool of research leaders and encourage long-term international collaboration with the UK.

Scope: The Fellowships cover the broad range of natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities covered by the three academies.

Eligibility: Applicants should:

  • have completed or nearly completed a PhD and have held no more than 1 or 2 postdoctoral positions, or equivalent experience at a comparable level
  • be working outside the UK and should not hold UK citizenship at the time of application
  • be competent in oral and written English. The DAMTP Sponsor must confirm their competency on the application form

Applicants must have a strong research project and a DAMTP Sponsor. Contact between the Sponsor and Applicant prior to the application is essential. This contact should lead to a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research project proposal.

DAMTP Sponsor (co-applicant) must:

  • hold a permanent or fixed term contract in a publicly-funded research organisation. In the case of fixed term contracts, employment must continue for at least the duration of the project
  • be an established researcher of post-doctoral (or equivalent) status and must make all the necessary practical and administrative arrangements for the duration of the Fellowship
  • be based at the UK host organisation


The host organisation:

  • is the UK institution
  • researchers working in governmental research institutes are not excluded from acting as sponsors but they must explain in their application why their institute is not funding the Fellowship
  • applications cannot be accepted from private or commercial organisations.


Funding: The scheme provides:

  • £24,000 per annum to cover subsistence
  • £8,000 per annum to cover research expenses
  • a one-off relocation allowance of £2,000
  • fellows may also be eligible to receive up to £6,000 annually for up to ten years following the tenure of their Fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based researchers. Newton International Fellowships will not be costed on the basis of FEC, instead, awards will include a contribution to the overheads incurred, at a rate of 50% of the total award to the visiting researcher.


Application Procedure: Applications are made jointly by applicants and their proposed UK Sponsor. Applications are made online through the Royal Society's Electronic Grant Application and Processing e-GAP2. Results will be announced no sooner than 5 months after the closing date; fellowships must start in January 2011.

Contact: General enquiries to info@newtonfellowships.org, tel +44 (0)20 7451 2559, fax +44 (0)20 7930 2170.

Further Information: