The Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship 2026 in the UK is a scheme designed to foster dynamic and collaborative projects between academic and industrial researchers. It enables scientists, including early career researchers, to undertake secondments of three to twelve months, facilitating knowledge exchange and career development across the natural sciences in the UK.
The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences, administers this fellowship as part of its Industry programme. It promotes excellence in science by funding innovative collaborations that bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, aiming to seed long-term partnerships and contribute to scientific advancement.
Short Industry Fellowship Benefits
- Awards can be held full time for three to six months or at 50% part-time for up to 12 months.
- Funds can cover the applicant’s and/or their postdoctoral researcher’s basic salary while on secondment.
- Research expenses which may be claimed up to a value of £1,000.
- Provision for maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoptive or extended sick leave.
- Financial support for childcare costs that arise from attending conferences and research visits.
Short Industry Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- You hold a PhD or are of equivalent standing in your profession.
- You hold a post in either a UK university, a not-for-profit research organisation or UK industry, which is either a permanent or fixed-term position with an end date after the expected end of the Short Industry Fellowship.
- Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences.
- Royal Society-funded early career researchers, i.e. holders of a University Research Fellowship or a Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, are not eligible.
- Self-employed consultants are not eligible to apply as the industrial partner.
- Applicants cannot have concurrent applications detailing similar projects submitted to both the Royal Society Industry Fellowship and the Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship rounds at the same time.
How to Apply for Short Industry Fellowship?
- 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.
- Full details of the application and review process are available in the scheme notes.
- Assessment of your application will be overseen by the Industry Fellowship Panel.
- Following eligibility checks, applications are initially reviewed and assessed by two panel members who have the most appropriate scientific expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply, based on the official scheme information.
What is the Short Industry Fellowship?
The Short Industry Fellowship is a Royal Society scheme enabling scientists in academia or industry to undertake shorter, dynamic collaborative projects between the two sectors in the UK, across the natural sciences.
What are the deadlines for the 2026 rounds?
For Round 1, the close date is 28 May 2026. For Round 2, the close date is 07 October 2026. The open dates are 02 April 2026 and 12 August 2026, respectively.
What does the fellowship fund?
The fellowship can cover the applicant’s and/or their postdoctoral researcher’s basic salary during secondment and research expenses up to £1,000. Awards can be full-time (3-6 months) or part-time (up to 12 months).
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent, have a post in a UK university, research organisation, or UK industry, and work within the natural sciences. Royal Society-funded early career fellows are not eligible.
Can postdoctoral researchers apply?
Postdoctoral researchers are not eligible to apply as the main applicant. However, the main applicant can request their postdoctoral researcher to work on the project at the partner organisation.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are submitted via Flexi-Grant. After eligibility checks, they are reviewed by two panel members from the Industry Fellowship Panel, leading to a shortlist and final funding recommendations.
Is there support for disabled applicants?
Yes, the Royal Society provides adjustments such as deadline extensions, application support, alternative formats, and interview support. Contact [email protected] for assistance.
What is the success rate?
Recent success rates were 35.7% (2022/23), 31.3% (2023/24), and 26.5% (2024/25), based on eligible applications and offers made.
Where can I find scheme notes and FAQs?
Downloadable documents include the Short Industry Fellowship scheme notes, FAQs, and Conditions of Award, available in the Downloads section of the official webpage.
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact the Royal Society Grants Team at [email protected] or +44 20 7451 2666 for further questions about the scheme.
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