The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship offers an exciting first step for outstanding researchers to build an independent research career based on strong research ideas, while allowing a flexible working pattern to accommodate personal circumstances.
Application Deadline:
- 29 October 2026 at 15:00 UK time (GMT) (Scheme opened on 3 September 2026; host institutional approval must be completed by the closing date)
Tell Me About The Program:
The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship 2027 is a prestigious, long-term early-career research fellowship in the UK for outstanding postdoctoral scientists who need a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances. The fellowship provides the funding, independence, and structural flexibility necessary to establish an independent research group, support career progression, and conduct cutting-edge research across the natural sciences.
Which Fields are Eligible:
Natural sciences (including biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, computing, Earth sciences, and related disciplines).
(Note: Clinical or interventional medical research on humans, social sciences, and humanities are explicitly excluded from the Royal Society’s remit).
Type:
Fully Funded Flexible Postdoctoral Research Fellowship & Group Leader Grant
Who can Apply:
- Career Stage: Early-career postdoctoral researchers who have completed their PhD and have no more than six years of actual postdoctoral research experience by the closing date (eligible career breaks and part-time working are taken into account).
- Flexibility Requirement: Must demonstrate a current, ongoing need for flexible support due to personal circumstances (e.g., being a primary carer or managing a clinically diagnosed health condition).
- Nationality: Open to candidates of any nationality.
- Exclusions: Candidates holding permanent/tenure-track academic posts (including proleptic positions) or those who hold (or have held) an equivalent independent group leader fellowship are ineligible.
How are Applicants Selected:
Applications undergo a multi-tier review process:
- Eligibility and scheme fit checks by the Royal Society Grants team.
- Initial review by two Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships Selection Committee panel members to draw up a longlist.
- Independent peer review for longlisted applicants.
- Panel review of peer comments to select a shortlist for formal interviews (scheduled for 16–17 June 2027).
Which Countries Are Eligible:
Global (open to international and UK-based researchers working at an eligible UK host institution).
Where will the Program be Taken:
Any eligible university or non-profit research institution in the United Kingdom.
How Many Fellows:
Competitive cohort selected annually across the natural sciences discipline panels.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
- Generous Financial Support: Up to £1,907,400 in total funding per fellowship over eight years.
- Salary Contribution: Covers 80% of the fellow’s salary and associated employment costs.
- Direct Research Costs: Provides 100% funding for directly incurred research costs, equipment, consumables, travel, research staff, and PhD student stipends/fees where justified.
- Flexible Working & Leave: Complete structural flexibility for part-time working, job sharing, and extended leave periods due to health reasons or caring responsibilities.
- Professional Development: Access to tailored mentoring, engagement opportunities, career development, and networking via the Royal Society fellow community.
How Long Will it Last:
Up to 8 years (initial funding covers five years, with years six to eight subject to a successful mid-fellowship review at the start of year four). Expected start date is between 1 October 2027 and 1 January 2028.
How to Apply:
- Secure Host Sponsorship: Agree on a host arrangement with an eligible UK university or research institution and establish internal departmental costing and submission deadlines.
- Register on Flexi-Grant®: Log into the Royal Society grant management system (
Flexi-Grant®) and initiate the Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship application. - Invite Key Contributors: Invite your Head of Department and two nominated academic referees through the portal.
- Prepare Proposal & Flexibility Evidence: Write a research proposal (maximum 4 A4 pages) presenting a 5-year detailed plan within an 8-year vision. Input personal flexibility requirements directly into the designated confidential fields.
- Submit for Institutional Approval: Cost the proposal with your host research office and submit the application for final organizational approval on Flexi-Grant® well ahead of the deadline on 29 October 2026 at 15:00 UK time.
