Career Development Fellowship 2024, UK.

Scholarship Description:

The Career Development Fellowship (CDF) is a four-year postdoctoral research fellowship program designed to promote the representation of researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields and facilitate their career progression. Initially, this program is being launched as a pilot, focusing on researchers with Black heritage. Depending on the success of this pilot phase, it may be extended to include researchers from other underrepresented groups.

This initiative has been developed following in-depth discussions in cross-sector roundtables and research commissioned by the Royal Society. These investigations analyzed trends using 11 years of data from the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) and compared the Society’s early career fellowships to the pool of eligible applicants. The findings highlighted the necessity for interventions at various stages of the academic journey to support individuals from Black or Mixed Black African, Black Caribbean, or other Black heritage backgrounds, particularly those transitioning from postgraduate to early postdoctoral phases.

The fellowships offered through this program will provide financial support for conducting high-quality research. Additionally, they will include a comprehensive package of mentoring, training, and networking opportunities. These resources aim to assist fellowship recipients in establishing a successful research career in the United Kingdom.

Degree Level:

Career Development Fellowship 2024, UK. is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at UK Universities.

Available Subjects:

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

• STEM Field

Scholarship Benefits:

What the program provides includes:

1. Funding of up to £690,000 spread over four years to cover the Research Fellow’s salary and associated on-costs (at 80%), directly allocated costs (at 80%), and research-related expenses.
2. A comprehensive and high-quality program that encompasses training, mentoring, and active engagement to support career development.
3. The flexibility to accommodate individual circumstances, including the option for part-time work. Furthermore, provisions are made for situations such as maternity, paternity, adoptive, or extended sick leave.
4. Applicants have the option to request support for relocation and visa expenses for themselves and their dependents, including partners and children. These costs can be requested in addition to the total grant cap of £690,000, which covers a four-year period.

Eligible Nationalities:

This fellowship is open to international students  from Black or Mixed Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black heritage backgrounds.

Eligibility Criteria:

Research should align with the Royal Society’s scope, encompassing natural sciences, which encompasses, among other fields, biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. A comprehensive list of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society can be found for reference.

You are eligible to participate in the pilot scheme if you meet the following criteria:

1. Self-identify as belonging to a Black heritage, including those with mixed Black backgrounds.
2. Hold a Ph.D. degree or will attain one by the commencement of funding but possess less than 24 months of post-doctoral experience.
3. Both researchers domiciled in the UK and those from outside the UK who intend to conduct their research in the UK are eligible.

Prior to submitting your application, please ensure that you satisfy all eligibility conditions, as outlined in the scheme notes.

Application Procedure:

Before the scheme opens to applications on 7 November, you should: 

• Read the scheme notes* and FAQs thoroughly.   
• Check your eligibility against the scheme notes* 
• Identify and confirm support from your sponsor, and check they are based at an eligible host organisation
• Flag your intention to apply to the research office at your host organisation. 

* Please note the scheme notes will be published shortly 

When the scheme opens to applications on 7 November, you should: 

• Begin your application. The form can be accessed through the Society’s grant management system Flexi-Grant®. It doesn’t need to be completed in one session, you can save your application in draft and return to it. 
• Allow enough time for your application to be reviewed and approved by your research office  
• Ensure you submit your application by 24 January 2024; you can only do this once all participants (e.g. Head of Department, nominated referee, etc) have completed their sections of the application form and clicked ‘save and submit’.

What happens when the scheme deadline has passed: 

• Following eligibility checks, your application will be assessed by a Panel of experts with broad scientific interests.  
• Panel members will review and score applications; and subsequently shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Panel to find out more about their proposed research. 
• For additional advice and information, see our ‘Making a grant application’ page or contact the Career Development Fellowship team.