UKNuffield Fellowship support is for early-career researchers transitioning to or recently achieving full research independence; the Nuffield Fellowship Scholarship 2026 funds fellows who submit compelling medical research proposals that include a collaborative link with a research institution in a Commonwealth country outside the UK.
The Trustees of the Nuffield Medical Trust fund the Fellowships and the University of Oxford’s Medical Sciences Division will host appointed Fellows. Funding is available to support two Fellowships in the first cohort, with inaugural fellows expected to take up their posts in early 2028.
Nuffield Fellowship Benefits
- Full salary for the fellow in line with the appropriate University of Oxford staff grade.
- Five years of research funding to support the proposed programme.
- A University of Oxford employment contract.
- Access to Oxford’s Medical Sciences research environment.
- Opportunities for career progression and development.
- The opportunity to establish and lead an independent research programme.
- Potential collaboration with a research institution in a Commonwealth country outside the UK.
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Nuffield Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Support exceptional early-career researchers who are either transitioning to or have recently achieved full research independence
- Applicants must demonstrate outstanding potential
- Submit a compelling research proposal that aims to advance any area of medical research and fits strategically with any department in the University of Oxford’s Medical Sciences Division
- The proposed research programme must involve a collaborative link with a research institution based in a Commonwealth country outside the UK
- Fellows must undertake research in a biomedical field and may be practicing clinicians or non-clinical
- Eligible research fields include clinical medicine, surgery, neuroscience, epidemiology, population health, primary care, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychiatry or experimental psychology
Eligible Research Areas
- Clinical medicine
- Surgery
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
- Population health
- Primary care
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Experimental psychology
How to Apply for Nuffield Fellowship?
- Visit the ‘How to apply’ page linked from the programme site
- Applicants must submit a compelling research proposal (see programme guidance)
- Please contact us via email at nuffieldmedicalfellowships@medsci.ox.ac.uk if you have any queries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Nuffield Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, start dates, hosting departments, and how to contact the programme team.
Who funds the Nuffield Fellowship Scholarships?
The Trustees of the Nuffield Medical Trust are the funder of the Fellowships. They are committed to supporting a robust and well-funded programme and have made funding available to support two Fellowships in the first cohort.
Who hosts the Fellows at Oxford?
Fellows will be matched to a department in the University of Oxford’s Medical Sciences Division that will host their Fellowship. The proposal must fit strategically with any department in the Medical Sciences Division.
What level of researchers is the fellowship for?
The Fellowships are for exceptional early-career researchers who are either transitioning to or have recently achieved full research independence. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding potential and submit a compelling research proposal.
What research fields are eligible?
Fellows must undertake research in a biomedical field. Eligible research fields include clinical medicine, surgery, neuroscience, epidemiology, population health, primary care, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychiatry and experimental psychology.
Is the fellowship funded and what does it cover?
Each Fellowship will provide full salary for the Fellow in line with the appropriate University of Oxford staff grade and generous funding for their research programme. Funding is available to support two Fellowships in the first cohort.
Must the research involve international collaboration?
Yes. The proposed research programme must involve a collaborative link with a research institution based in a Commonwealth country outside the UK, as a condition of the Fellowship.
When do the inaugural Fellows start?
The inaugural Fellows are expected to take up their posts in early 2028. Trustees expect to appoint one to two Fellows per year through an annual recruitment round thereafter.
How do I apply or find application guidance?
Applicants should visit the ‘How to apply’ page linked from the programme site for application guidance and submission instructions. The programme site provides further details on required documents and proposals.
Who can I contact for queries?
For queries applicants can contact the programme team via email at nuffieldmedicalfellowships@medsci.ox.ac.uk, as listed on the programme pages.
How many Fellowships will be offered each year?
The Trustees expect to appoint one to two Fellows per year through an annual recruitment round. Funding is available to support two Fellowships in the first cohort.
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