The Royal Society’s Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship is a first step to an independent research career for outstanding early career researchers who need flexibility because of their personal circumstances, such as being a primary carer or living with a clinically diagnosed health condition. It funds you to lead your own research group for up to eight years, with part-time working or extended leave built in where you need it.
Applications close on 29 October 2026, with decisions by 31 July 2027.
What the fellowship offers
Each fellowship runs for eight years with up to £1,907,400 in funding. Alongside the freedom to pursue your own research questions, fellows get flexibility for part-time working or extended leave for health or caring reasons, tailored career development, mentoring and engagement opportunities, and a community of Royal Society research fellows to build networks with.
Who can apply
You need a current and ongoing need for flexible support due to personal circumstances. You must also have completed your PhD and have no more than six years of research experience since it by the closing date, with career breaks taken into account. You cannot already hold a permanent post, including a proleptic appointment, at a university or not-for-profit organisation, or have held an equivalent fellowship that made you an independent group leader.
Your research must fall within the Royal Society’s natural sciences remit. That includes much of biological and biomedical science, so neuroscience and dementia research can be eligible, but check the Society’s list of subject groups before you apply.
How to apply
Applications go through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant system. Two panel members first review each application and draw up a longlist, which goes out for independent peer review before shortlisting and interviews. The Society also offers adjustments for disabled applicants, including deadline extensions, through adjustments@royalsociety.org. Questions about the scheme go to dhf@royalsociety.org.
If this would be your first fellowship, our guide to securing your first research fellowship and our podcast on choosing between a fellowship and a lectureship are useful places to start. Read the scheme notes and application tips on the Royal Society website.
Visit funding web page
(https://royalsociety.org/grants/dorothy-hodgkin-fellowship/)