About the scheme
The Newton International Fellowship (NIF) programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. The fellowships enable researchers to access expertise, gain new perspectives and build long-lasting collaborative relationships.
This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.
The overarching aim of the Newton International Fellowship programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce. The objectives are to:
- Attract talented international early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in the UK
- Support early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research
- Provide opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge through training and career development
- Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the Newton International Fellowships alumni programme.
Applications for the humanities and social sciences should be made to the British Academy.
If you are unsure about which academy to apply to, contact info@newtonfellowships.org.
The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.
See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.
Changes to the scheme
Following a steep increase in applications in recent years, we have introduced changes to the eligibility criteria, selection process and sponsor limits from the 2026 round, in order to ensure that we can continue to run the scheme in a sustainable way.
- In order to be eligible, applicants must have been awarded their PhD or successfully defended their doctoral thesis by the closing date for applications, and have no more than five years’ active full-time postdoctoral experience post-PhD, taking into account career breaks
- Sponsors are limited to supporting one application per round. This does not mean one application per institution, it means that each UK academic Sponsor can only support one application in any round.
- Selection process:
- There will be a single submission application process but application forms will be reviewed in two parts, with a ‘triaging’ stage by committee based on the outline application part. Full applications will then be reviewed for those applicants that are longlisted.
Full details will be provided in the scheme notes, to be published in due course.
Additional awards
Earlier this year, the Royal Society announced up to £30m in funding over the next two years to attract global talent to the UK. As part of this announcement, an allocation of £10m will be used to attract early career researchers from overseas, including through the Newton International Fellowships, University Research Fellowships and Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships. We anticipate making additional awards through the scheme standard rounds. Applicants should submit their application through the standard NIF round.
ISPF-Funded and Privately-Funded Fellowships
We welcome applications from all countries.
The Royal Society also has funding through the International Science Partnerships Fund to support additional Newton International Fellowships for applicants applying from Switzerland.
The Royal Society’s partnership with the K C Wong Education Foundation also allows us to fund additional fellowships for applicants applying from China. These awards are termed Royal Society K C Wong International Fellowships.
It is not possible to apply directly for one of these fellowships. They are selected from the same pool of applicants as the Newton International Fellowships and are of equal value and prestige.
What does the scheme offer?
The maximum award value will be £280,000 over two years.
Funds can cover:
- basic salary as set by the host institution and associated on-costs
- research expenses
- relocation and visa costs for Newton International Fellows and their dependents (partner and children). The total grant cap may be exceeded to cover relocation/visa costs if this is well justified in the application
- estate costs and indirect costs
Further detail on these changes is available in the scheme notes and in our Royal Society Funding Guidance (costing policy)
We provide flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances including part-time working for health reasons or caring responsibilities. There is provision for maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoptive or extended sick leave, as well as financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.
Royal Society Research Fellows also have the opportunity to access a range of career development and engagement opportunities including training on leadership, science communication and public engagement, and activities coordinated by our science policy and schools engagement teams. For further detail on these additional benefits, read our opportunities page.
Successful applicants may also be eligible to receive alumni funding to support continued networking activities with UK-based researchers following completion of their fellowship.
This scheme is for you if:
- You have a PhD, or will have successfully defended your doctoral thesis before the closing date for applications
- You have no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral experience post-PhD at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry on research)
- You are based outside the UK
- You do not hold UK citizenship
- You are competent in oral and written English
- Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society. Applications for the humanities and social sciences should be made to the British Academy.
All applications are developed with the support of a UK sponsor. The Sponsor should work with the lead applicant to develop the project proposal and should provide mentoring, support, and guidance throughout the duration of the award. Please note, Sponsors are limited to supporting one application per round. This does not mean one application per institution, it means that each UK academic Sponsor can only support one application in any round.
Applicants can be of any nationality and those requiring a visa are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.
Read the scheme notes and FAQ for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
You will apply through our application and grant management system, Flexi-Grant®.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and below for details specific to this scheme.
Assessment of your application will be overseen by one of the four Newton International Fellowship Panels. Following eligibility checks, outline applications are initially reviewed by two members of the Panel who have the most appropriate expertise. Longlisted full applications will then be reviewed ahead of shortlisting, with shortlisted applications then discussed at a Panel meeting where recommendations for funding are made.
Further detail on the application and assessment process is available in the scheme notes.
| Financial year | Eligible applications | Offers | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 481 | 52 | 10.8% |
| 2023/24 | 624 | 40 | 6.4% |
| 2024/25 | 834 | 35 | 4.2% |
Please note:
- Data is based on eligible applications and offers made, and does not include upgraded reserves
- For 2022/2023, additional funds were received, allowing more awards to be made in this year
The Royal Society welcomes applications from disabled applicants and provides support and adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you require support or an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants Team on info@newtonfellowships.org or call +44 20 7451 2666. All requests for adjustments are made in confidentiality. Any request for an adjustment will not normally be shared with panel members unless it becomes relevant to the assessment process itself. If we need to share your request with anyone (for example if panel members are required to implement any adjustments during interviews), we will ask for your permission first.
Adjustments can include but are not limited to:
- Extension of the deadline
- Additional support to complete the application form
- Receiving the application form in a different format, such as on a Word document
- Support during interviews as required, including technical support for candidates requiring accessibility software or services
- Additional costs that candidates may incur on account of their particular disability to attend an interview
If you have further questions regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on info@newtonfellowships.org or visit our contact us page.
