[Royal Society](https://royalsociety.org)

May 28, 2026 | October 7, 2026

Covers basic salary (3–6 months full-time or up to 12 months part-time) plus up to £1,000 for research expenses; industry partner must contribute (min. 15–35% of project costs, depending on company size).

Supports short-term collaborative projects between UK academia and industry to foster knowledge exchange and partnership building.

--- ## Description The Royal Society's Short Industry Fellowship scheme enables researchers in UK academia or industry to undertake short, dynamic collaborative projects that promote engagement and knowledge exchange between the two sectors. The program encourages mobility, aims to seed long-term collaborations, and supports career development for fellows and their postdoctoral researchers. Projects must involve a partnership between a UK-based private industry and a UK university or not-for-profit research organization, with a focus on the natural sciences. Collaborations with early-stage and small companies are especially encouraged. --- ## Due Dates - May 28, 2026: 2026 Round 1 — Full application submission (deadline: 15:00 UK time) - October 7, 2026: 2026 Round 2 — Full application submission --- ## Funding Amount - Covers the basic salary of the fellow and/or their postdoctoral researcher for the duration of the award (3–6 months full-time, or up to 12 months at 50% part-time). - Up to £1,000 per fellowship for research expenses (e.g., consumables, travel between partner and host/employing organizations). - The industry partner must make a minimum contribution to the project: 15% (small companies), 25% (medium), or 35% (large), either as cash or in-kind support (e.g., access to facilities, technical staff, equipment). - Awards are expected to start from October 1, 2026. - Approximately 5 fellowships are offered per round. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold a PhD or have equivalent professional standing. - Must hold a post in a UK university, not-for-profit research organization, or UK industry (permanent or fixed-term, with end date after the fellowship). - Open to researchers at any career stage, especially early career researchers. - Royal Society-funded early career researchers (e.g., holders of University Research Fellowship or Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship) are not eligible. - Applicants cannot apply with an industrial partner if they own ≥25% shares in that company. - The main applicant must lead the project; postdoctoral researchers may be nominated to participate but cannot apply as main applicant. - Projects must be within the natural sciences (biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, etc.; not clinical/interventional research, social sciences, or humanities). - Applications from former Industry Fellows are considered if proposing a new partner and project. - Self-employed consultants are not eligible as industrial partners. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [Royal Society Flexi-Grant system](https://grants.royalsociety.org/). - All sections of the application and required participant contributions (e.g., Heads of Department, nominated referee) must be complete before submission. - Required supporting statements from: - Current Employer Head of Department - Partner Organisation Head of Department - One independent nominated referee - The industry partner must provide documentation on company size, facilities, and research capacity (if not already registered with the Royal Society). - The host organization must approve the application before the deadline. - Deadlines are strict; late or incomplete applications will not be considered. --- ## Additional Information - The program emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion and provides adjustments for applicants with disabilities (e.g., deadline extensions, support during interviews). - Financial support for additional care costs is available for fellows attending conferences or research visits. - Industry partner contributions are subject to audit and must be fully costed. - Success rates in recent years have ranged from 26% to 36%. - For longer-term collaborations, see the [Royal Society Industry Fellowship](https://royalsociety.org/grants/industry-fellowships/). --- ## External Links - [Short Industry Fellowship Scheme Details](https://royalsociety.org/grants/short-industry-fellowships) - [Scheme Notes (PDF)](https://royalsociety.org/-/media/grants/short-industry-fellowship/short-industry-fellowship-scheme-notes.pdf) - [FAQs (PDF)](https://royalsociety.org/-/media/grants/short-industry-fellowship/if--sif-frequently-asked-questions.pdf) - [Application Portal (Flexi-Grant)](https://grants.royalsociety.org/) - [Royal Society Grants Overview](https://royalsociety.org/grants/) - [Conditions of Award (PDF)](https://royalsociety.org/-/media/grants/standard-conditions-of-award.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | General/eligibility queries| innovationgrants@royalsociety.org | | Phone | +44 20 7451 2666 | | Grants team details | [Contact page](https://royalsociety.org/grants/contact-details-grants-programmes/) | ---

Short Industry Fellowship

Sign in to see full grant listing