Early Independence: Ernest Rutherford Fellowships 2026
Science and Technology Facilities Council
What it funds
Word limit: 550 In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application. We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example: opinion-formers policymakers the public the wider research community Guidance for writing a summary Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of: context the challenge
Who can apply
Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (ERFs) are open to applicants who hold a doctorate or who can evidence equivalent research experience and are aiming to establish their own research niche and independence. This fellowship is open to a diversity of research and innovation staff, including researchers, innovators, research technical professionals and research software engineers, who can meet the aims of the funding opportunity. We value intellectual, methodological and technical career paths and there are no time-bound eligibility criteria, for example years of postdoctoral experience. You must: evidence skills, experience, career development and productivity across past appointments have your own research plans that do not significantly overlap with those of others have the support of an eligible UK organisation If you secure an academic position at lecturer level prior to the offer of a fellowship, you will be ineligible to hold the fellowship. Eligible institutions Fellowships may be held at any eligible UK research organisation that holds a STFC ERF application quota.
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