Leverhulme Research Fellowships 2027: Application Process For Interested Applicants
What could you finish if teaching and university administration stopped consuming your research time? The Leverhulme Research Fellowships 2027 offer experienced researchers up to £70,000 towards replacement costs and research expenses, creating space to complete an original project.
The strongest fit is an established academic already resident in the UK and employed by an eligible UK university. Priority goes to researchers whose teaching and administrative responsibilities have substantially restricted their research during the previous three years.
Plan your application
What Does the £70,000 Pay For?
The award contributes to the cost of releasing you from normal duties and carrying out your research. The amount depends on your project and circumstances; £70,000 is the overall ceiling, not a guaranteed payment or personal stipend.
Replacement funding is considered for researchers in continuing full-time or part-time posts who receive their normal salary during approved leave. Agree the cover arrangements with your department and build a justified budget: the practical benefit is protected research time backed by institutional support.
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Can International Researchers Qualify Without British Citizenship?
The published eligibility rules focus on UK residence, employment and scholarly standing rather than a British-passport requirement. International academics should check that they meet every condition, including the requirement for permanent membership of the UK scholarly community. Your university must have research degree-awarding powers, and your post must continue beyond the fellowship.
| Your current situation | Application consequence |
|---|---|
| Established researcher in an eligible UK university post, resident in the UK | Potentially eligible, subject to all remaining rules and institutional support. |
| Researcher living outside the UK, or an independent scholar | Ineligible under this scheme. |
| Registered, intending to register, or awaiting examination for a degree or qualification | Ineligible, even if the proposed project is unrelated to that qualification. |
| Employee whose current post is entirely or mainly research-focused | Ineligible; this award prioritizes release from routine duties. |
A previous Research Fellowship recipient can seek a second award once at least seven years have passed since the earlier application.
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Which Projects Belong in This Competition?
Research across disciplines can qualify, but disease-focused and clinical research are excluded. The exclusions cover studies of human or animal disease, illness and disability, and work intended to guide clinical practice or develop medical applications. A budget primarily funding research assistance is also ineligible. Overseas research can form part of a project when academically justified; international travel is optional.
Build a proposal around a precise question, suitable methods and achievable outputs. Explain your individual contribution and why protected time matters. Our research proposal preparation guide can help organise that argument; Leverhulme’s own form and instructions govern your submission.
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How Do You Obtain University Approval and Apply?
Apply through the Leverhulme Grant System with approval from your employing institution. Start with your research office: your head of department must support the proposal, requested leave and financial arrangements.
- Check the rules. Review the official Research Fellowships page and its linked Application Help Notes before drafting.
- Prepare the research case and costs. Assemble your research statement, evidence of experience, workload explanation, timetable and budget. Choose a permitted start date and agree the required research-time commitment.
- Complete the online application. Use the Leverhulme Grant System and select Research Fellowships. Follow its current fields and limits; submit only one application per round. No application fee is stated on the scheme page.
- Allow time for approval. Send the completed application through your institution’s approval process at least five working days before closing, as the Trust recommends, or earlier if your university requires it. Confirm that approval and final submission are complete.
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Which Deadline Should You Work Towards?
Your university’s internal deadline may fall before Leverhulme’s closing date. For example, LSE lists 29 October 2026 for its internal submission stage; check your own institution’s arrangements immediately.
The last date to apply for the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships 2027 is 5 November 2026 at 4pm UK time (GMT). Successful fellowships must begin between 1 June 2027 and 1 May 2028. These dates were checked on 30 September 2026.