Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships 2027 provides experienced researchers with dedicated time and funding to complete a defined programme of original research. The Leverhulme Research Fellowship supports researchers across a wide range of disciplines and prioritises applicants whose teaching and administrative duties have limited their research in the past three years.
The fellowship is offered by the Leverhulme Trust, a UK charitable organisation that supports research and education. The Trust’s Research Fellowships allow successful applicants to request funding and a period of protected research time through the Leverhulme Grant System.
Leverhulme Research Fellowship Benefits
- The fellowship offers up to £70,000 and can support research periods lasting between 3 and 24 months.
- Successful applicants can receive funding of up to: £70,000
- Research Fellowships can be held for: A minimum of 3 months
- Up to a maximum of 24 months
- The maximum value gives researchers substantial flexibility to structure an appropriate period of research leave and cover eligible costs associated with undertaking the proposed research.
Leverhulme Research Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Have an established research background.
- Have developed an original research project that requires dedicated time to complete.
- Have been unable to devote sufficient time to research because of routine academic responsibilities.
- Have significant teaching commitments.
- Have substantial administrative responsibilities within their institution.
- Can demonstrate that these responsibilities have affected their research activity during the three years preceding the application.
- Are able to undertake the proposed research within the fellowship period.
How to Apply for Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships 2027
- Review the Research Fellowships information provided by the Leverhulme Trust.
- Read the Application Help Notes 2027.
- Develop a clearly defined original research programme.
- Confirm that they meet the fellowship’s eligibility requirements.
- Consider the appropriate duration of the proposed fellowship.
- Prepare the information and supporting material required by the application system.
- Prepare a realistic funding request, taking into account the maximum fellowship value.
- Submit the completed application through the Leverhulme Grant System before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Leverhulme Research Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply to help prospective applicants prepare their submissions.
What is the Leverhulme Research Fellowship?
The Leverhulme Research Fellowship is a grant offered by the Leverhulme Trust to provide experienced researchers with dedicated time and financial support to complete a defined piece or programme of original research. It supports researchers across disciplines and gives priority to those whose teaching and administrative duties have limited research activity in the previous three years.
Who can apply for this fellowship?
The fellowship is intended for experienced researchers with an established research background who have developed an original research project requiring dedicated time. Applicants should demonstrate that routine academic responsibilities—such as significant teaching or administrative duties—have affected their research activity during the three years before application.
How much funding is available?
Successful applicants can receive funding of up to £70,000. The guidance emphasises that applicants should request an amount appropriate to their project’s scale and needs rather than automatically requesting the maximum available, and the funding should support the proposed research period and eligible costs.
How long can the fellowship last?
Research Fellowships can be held for a minimum of 3 months and up to a maximum of 24 months. The duration should match the amount of dedicated research time genuinely required to complete the proposed programme, with shorter or longer periods justified by the project’s needs.
What research can be proposed?
The scheme supports a piece or programme of original research across a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, arts, natural sciences and other eligible academic fields. Applications should present a clearly defined research objective, originality, methodology, and a realistic plan for progress during the fellowship.
Does the fellowship prioritise any applicants?
Yes. The Trust gives particular priority to applicants whose teaching and administrative duties have significantly affected their capacity to undertake research during the three years before applying. Applicants should explain how their professional responsibilities have constrained their research time and why the fellowship would make a meaningful difference.
How do I prepare a strong application?
Applicants should read the Application Help Notes 2027, develop a coherent research case that links the research problem, original contribution, need for dedicated time and an achievable programme, prepare supporting materials, and request a realistic budget justified by the project’s requirements.
Where and how are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted through the Leverhulme Grant System. Prospective applicants should follow the Research Fellowships guidance, consult the Application Help Notes 2027, prepare required supporting information, and submit the completed application through the system before the stated deadline.
What should I emphasise regarding teaching and administrative duties?
Applicants should clearly explain the nature and extent of their teaching and administrative workloads, how these responsibilities affected their available research time over the previous three years, and why a period of dedicated fellowship time is necessary to complete the proposed research programme.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships 2027 is 5 November 2026. Applicants should ensure submissions via the Leverhulme Grant System are completed before this date and review the official guidance and application system for any additional submission-time requirements.
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