Royal Academy for Engineering Research Fellowships 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
If you are an aspiring engineer looking to establish your independence, make breakthroughs, and become an international leader in research, the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships might just be the perfect opportunity for you. These prestigious fellowships are designed to empower early-career researchers with resources, mentorship, and long-term support to make an impact on the global engineering community. Details in this article.
Fellowship Summary
Location: United Kingdom
Host Institution: UK higher education institutions/universities or UK research organizations eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding
Academic Level: Post-PhD (early-career researchers within four years of completing PhD)
Areas of Focus: Engineering-focused research projects
Target Group: Early-career researchers worldwide
Award Value: £625,000 maximum contribution over five years, covering 80% of full economic costs
Award Duration: Five years
Application Deadline: 17 September 2025, 4 PM BST
Eligibility: Open to applicants of all nationalities with no age restrictions; must hold a PhD (awarded in the past four years)
Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships Overview
The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships annually to outstanding early-career researchers. These fellowships are crafted to:
Enable researchers to pursue ambitious engineering research.
Establish independent research careers.
Develop future leaders in the field.
Advocate STEM disciplines globally.
Unlike previous rounds, only the Research Fellowship scheme is available in the 2025/26 round. Applicants can expect robust support from host institutions, including mentorship from Academy Fellows and full backing for their engineering-focused research projects.
What to expect?
Mentorship: Fellows are paired with Academy Fellows who provide career development guidance.
Professional Development: Reduced teaching/admin responsibilities to focus on research.
Annual Progress Reports: Fellows submit yearly progress and financial summaries.
Networking: Opportunities to engage with awardees, alumni, and Academy Fellows via the RAEng Awardee Excellence Community and Academy Café series.
Skill Building: Access to specialized training and additional funding opportunities.
Fellowship Benefits
Fees Covered: Fellowship provides financial support for research costs up to £625,000 over five years, covering 80% of full economic costs.
Career Development: Opportunities to build a strong research track record, improving chances of securing additional funding.
Diversity & Inclusion: Commitment to underrepresented groups ensures fair treatment regardless of age, gender, race, or other factors.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold a PhD awarded in the last four years.
Host institutions must be UK-based and capable of supporting engineering-focused research.
No nationality or age restrictions.
Host institutions must secure necessary work permits.
Research Fellowships must begin between 1 August 2026 and 31 October 2026. The duration of a Research Fellowship is five years full time, calculated on a pro-rata basis for part-time awards. Requests for a shorter Research Fellowship are not accepted
Application Procedure
1. Submission:
Applications are submitted online through the Academy's Grants Management System (GMS) online portal.
2. Selection Process: Three stages:
General Review: Applications assessed by non-expert reviewers.
Expert Review: Selected applications undergo detailed evaluation by expert reviewers.
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates present to a panel of Academy Fellows.
3. Documents Required:
Detailed project proposal.
Applicant and host institution’s details.
Supporting documents as outlined in guidance notes (PDF).
📂 Supporting documents
🗓️ Application Deadline: 17 September 2025, 4 PM BST
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
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