How to apply

We are currently closed for applications. We will next open in October 2025 for 2026-28 Fellowships. 

You can read more about the application process in our Notes for Applicants.

Applications usually open in October and close in February. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are held in April. Each Fellowship lasts for two years, and must be taken up between September and April following your successful application. Please read the Notes for Applicants for more details.

Candidates must complete an online application form and upload their CV and research proposal. Candidates are also responsible for ensuring that two confidential academic references are uploaded to the online portal before the application closing date and must also provide a letter of endorsement from their chosen US institution. Please see the Notes for Referees and Notes for Hosts for more information.

 

Eligibility and restrictions

To be eligible to apply, candidates must:

  • Hold British, Irish or Commonwealth citizenship, or have UK settled status
  • Be normally resident in the UK
  • Either be in the final stages of your doctoral studies at a UK university, or have completed your doctorate at a UK university and have no more than a total of three years’ research experience since completion
  • Fellowships may not be held concurrently with any other research grant or scholarship. Applications from candidates who currently hold, or have held, a full-time stipendiary research post within the last year at an institution in the US will not be considered.

In addition:

  • Career breaks and part-time working will be taken into consideration, e.g. time away due to personal reasons such as maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoptive leave or other caring responsibilities; ill-health or working in a non-research environment/role such as industry.
  • Where applicants have taken formal periods of maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoptive leave as the primary carer (either the mother, father, partner or adopter), or extended sick leave, an additional amount of time will be allowed on top of the three years, equal to the length of time of this formal period of leave.