Early independence: career development fellowship
UK Research and Innovation’s Early Independence: Career Development Fellowship funds postdoctoral researchers to launch independent medical science research and build research teams.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 15, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to 5 years’ support; no set funding limit; covers salary and project costs at 80% FEC plus permitted exceptions at 100% FEC.
Summary: Supports talented postdoctoral researchers in establishing independent research careers in medical science, providing funding, training, and collaboration opportunities.
Key Information: Fellowship must be based at an eligible UK research organisation; applicants must have completed a PhD or equivalent.
Description
This fellowship supports emerging researchers who have completed a PhD or equivalent and demonstrated career consolidation, enabling them to establish their own research niche and begin building a research team. The scheme, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is open to applicants from all nationalities, provided the fellowship is hosted at an eligible UK research organisation. Funding is available for up to five years, covering salary, project costs, and additional support for training, development, and collaboration—including periods spent at other UK or overseas organisations or in industry. The fellowship is designed as a significant step towards independent research leadership in the medical sciences, spanning basic, translational, and clinical research with a focus on advancing human health.
