The Newton International Fellowships 2026 have officially opened their call for applications, inviting outstanding early-career researchers from around the world to undertake advanced research in the United Kingdom. This prestigious programme—jointly delivered by the British Academy and the Royal Society—returns with renewed funding, updated eligibility criteria, and a sharpened mission to attract future research leaders capable of shaping global scientific and academic progress.
Programme Structure and Academic Focus
The fellowship provides a two-year fully supported research placement at a leading UK university or research institute. Designed to help early-career scholars take their first major step toward independent research careers, the programme offers them the opportunity to work alongside established UK researchers, expand academic networks, and immerse themselves in an international research environment.
The Royal Society manages applications in the natural sciences, covering fields such as biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, and biomedical sciences. Meanwhile, the British Academy oversees the humanities and social sciences applicants. This dual-academy structure ensures that all fields receive specialized review and discipline-appropriate support.
A key feature of the 2026 round is the improved selection model, which now includes a triage stage based on an outline proposal, followed by in-depth evaluation of longlisted full applications. These changes aim to maintain academic excellence, fairness, and sustainability amid sharply rising global demand.
What the Newton Fellowship Offers to Potential Winners?
The Newton International Fellowship is one of the most generous early-career research opportunities in the UK, offering up to £280,000 over two years. This funding supports the researcher’s salary, research-related expenses, institutional overheads, and relocation and visa costs—including support for dependents moving with the Fellow.
Beyond financial support, winners gain access to a network of academic training, mentorship, and leadership development activities. They receive formal training in research communication, public engagement, and professional leadership, as well as opportunities to participate in conferences, seminars, and UK-based research events.
Additional funding commitments from the Royal Society—including allocations for researchers from Switzerland and China—mean that more fellowships will be awarded through this round. After completing the programme, Fellows also remain connected through the Newton alumni community, enabling long-term collaboration with UK researchers.
Eligibility Checklist for Applicants
To apply for the Newton International Fellowships 2026, candidates must meet the following core criteria:
- Must hold a PhD or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis before the closing date.
- Must have no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral research experience after the PhD (excluding career breaks).
- Must be based outside the United Kingdom and must not hold UK citizenship.
- Must demonstrate strong written and spoken English communication skills.
- Must present a research proposal aligned with the natural sciences remit (via the Royal Society) or humanities/social sciences remit (via the British Academy).
- Must apply with a UK-based sponsor who will jointly develop the research proposal and provide supervision and mentorship throughout the fellowship.
- Applicants needing a UK visa may apply through the Global Talent Visa fast-track procedure.
For disabled applicants, the Royal Society provides additional flexibility, including deadline extensions, alternate document formats, and interview adjustments.
Apply: https://royalsociety.org/grants/newton-international/
Application Deadline for 2026 Cycle
The Newton International Fellowships will open for submissions on 15 January 2026 and will close on 11 March 2026. Final selection decisions will be released by 31 August 2026.