Driven by curiosity. Driving changeJunior fellowships
What is a junior fellowship
Finding a host Principal Investigator
Applicants for junior fellowships must identify and contact a suitable Host PI within the department.
A list of academic staff and research groups can be found on the Meet our academic pages.
Host PIs are responsible for supporting the application process, including:
- advising on project fit and research direction
- supporting costing and internal approval processes
- providing feedback on application materials
- ensuring appropriate space, supervision and resources if the application is successful
Early contact with potential Host PIs is strongly encouraged.
Selected schemes
- BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship
- MRC Early Independence Fellowship
- Wellcome Early-Career Awards
- Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships
- Royal Society Newton International Fellowship
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Ernest Oppenheimer Early Career Fellowship (Cambridge-based)
- Herschel-Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship (Cambridge-based)
- Cambridge College Junior Research Fellowships
The department does not operate a formal selection process for the above Junior Fellowships. However, applicants or host PIs are encouraged to notify research.fellowships@ceb.cam.ac.uk to support internal coordination and meet notice requirements.
Applications
Junior fellowship applicants should contact relevant academic staff in the department to identify a suitable host Principal Investigator (PI).
Host PIs are responsible for supporting the application process, including costing, internal deadlines, reference coordination, and feedback on application materials. They also provide mentoring and ensure appropriate support structures are in place if the application is successful.
Junior fellowships with formal selection processes:
Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships
This is a Junior Fellowship that requires Host PI approval before an application can be prepared.
In 2026, the scheme will follow a two-stage process, with the first-stage deadline in June 2026. Cambridge is limited to two applications, with up to four permitted where additional applications come from groups underrepresented in engineering (as defined by the funder). Departments are required to rank applicants before submission to the University for selection.
Expression of interest
Applicants must submit the following to research.fellowships@ceb.cam.ac.uk:
- Name and email address
- PhD certificate date (or date of unconditional award)
- Confirmation of whether they wish to self-declare underrepresented group status (as defined by the funder)
- 800-word project summary addressing:
- goals and objectives, including novelty, ambition, feasibility, and timing
- diversity and inclusion in research and team development
- beneficiaries, impact, and routes to translation and engagement
- CV (maximum 3 pages, excluding personal data such as gender, date of birth, nationality)
- Draft support letter from the Head of Department (not yet signed), prepared with the Host PI
The CV should include key publications relevant to the proposal. DORA principles should be considered when presenting research outputs.
Selection criteria
Applications will be assessed on:
- Candidate quality and leadership potential
- Research quality, vision, and feasibility
- Beneficiaries and potential for societal and economic impact
Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship
This is a Junior Fellowship that requires Host PI approval to prepare an application.
The scheme requires institutional match funding, which is allocated competitively within the University following a multi-stage internal process.
Expression of interest
Prospective applicants should submit an expression of interest in October 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).
Applications should be sent to research.fellowships@ceb.cam.ac.uk and include:
- CV (maximum 2 pages)
- Summary of current and past research (maximum 250 words)
- Detailed research proposal (maximum 2 pages), including aims, methodology, and expected outcomes
- Publication list grouped under: in preparation, submitted, and published (maximum 1 page)
- Two reference letters (sent directly by referees)
The department can support a maximum of two candidates per year. Early contact with the department is strongly encouraged to discuss suitability for the scheme.
Fellowship support
Contact
More information
If you are considering applying for a junior fellowship, you may also find the following pages helpful:
→ Future careers
→ Research centres and initiatives – explore the department’s major interdisciplinary research themes and centres
→ Research impact – examples of how research in the department translates into real-world outcomes
→ Enterprise and partnerships – opportunities for collaboration with industry and external partners
If you are an internal applicant or current member of the University, you are encouraged to discuss potential applications with relevant academic contacts at an early stage.