Royal Society Newton International Fellowships 2026

Please note that there have been significant changes introduced to the International Fellowships schemes which have been highlighted below; do read the information available on this page and the call guidelines before sending in an Expression of Interest.
 

Schemes open: 15th January 2026

Expression of Interest deadline (to SAME): end of day (UK GMT) on Monday, 26th January 2026

Final application deadline (to RS): 5:00pm (UK GMT) on 11th March 2026

The International Fellowships 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 objectives of the call are to:

  • Attract talented international early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in the UK.
  • Support international early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research.
  • Provide international early career researchers opportunities to acquire and transfer new skills and knowledge through training and career development.
  • Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the Newton International Fellowships alumni programme.

The applicant must:

  • Have a PhD, or applicants in the final stages of their PhD will be accepted provided that the PhD will be completed (including viva) before the Final Awards Committee meets on the 1 June 2026 (BA).
  • be within 0-5 years post PhD (reduced from 0-7 years). Career breaks, parental leave and other periods of leave outside of academia will still be discounted from this time period.
  • Applicants must hold a PhD from a non-UK institution. Those with UK-based Masters will still be eligible to apply.
  • Be working outside the UK.
  • Not hold UK citizenship.
  • Be competent in oral and written English.
  • Have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher.
  • Research should lie 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. The breakdown of subject groups supported is listed on their website.
     

Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes provided by Royal Society (please note we are currently awaiting the release of the scheme notes, and guidelines on this page may be updated to reflect any changes to the scheme). 


The Newton International Fellowship offers support for two years and the maximum award value will be £280,000.
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

The fellowships are expected to commence between October 2026 and March 2027.

Further information on the scheme, and the call guidance notes for the previous round, can be found at the following here: https://royalsociety.org/grants/newton-international/

Award-holders will be able to apply via an accelerated route for a Global Talent Visa.


SAME Expressions of Interest

The School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography will support a limited number of applications to these calls, and will hold an internal competition to decide which applicant(s) will be put forward to the scheme.  Please note that it is essential that you have made contact and discussed your potential application with an existing member of SAME academic staff prior to submitting your EOI.

Those who are interested in applying must first check that they are eligible and read the guidance above, and then send the following expression of interest materials to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk no later than end of day (UK GMT) on Monday, 26th January 2026.

  • A brief covering email confirming that you meet the eligibility criteria and answering the following questions:
    • Do you currently have the right to work in the UK?
    • What is your nationality?  If you are a dual- or multiple-national, please list all countries of which you are a citizen.
    • In which country do you currently reside?
  • Applicant’s CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • Research proposal (maximum 1500 words). Explain why you have chosen to work in this subject area and what it is about your proposed research that you find particularly important. If applicable, please also explain the potential impact or wider benefits to society of your research. Please also provide details of any proposed fieldwork to be conducted outside the UK within your proposal. Provide details of location, duration, and justification for the fieldwork.
  • Statement of UK Sponsor support from a current SAME member of staff (maximum 1 page). This should set out the applicant’s suitability for the project, and the intentions for their career development. Please note the UK Sponsor must work with the applicant to develop the project proposal, and should provide mentoring, support and guidance throughout the duration of the award.

We expect to inform candidates of the School’s decision by mid February.