Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025

Applications are now open for the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025, a prestigious opportunity from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) for early career researchers to lead independent research projects in the UK. This fellowship supports innovative research in fields such as astronomy, particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, computational science, and quantum technologies.

It is open to early career researchers with a PhD or equivalent experience, including international applicants, who do not hold a tenured academic position. There is no application fee, and applications must be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service. For more positions like this, visit here.

Key Details

• Total Fund: £6,000,000
• Funding Coverage: 80% of full economic cost (host institution covers 20%)
• Eligible Fields: Astronomy, particle physics, particle astrophysics, nuclear physics, accelerator science, computational science, quantum technologies
• Eligibility: Early career researchers with a PhD or equivalent experience, not holding a tenured academic position
• Host Requirement: Must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation with an STFC ERF quota
• International Applicants: Open to all nationalities; eligible for Global Talent visa
• Duration: Up to 5 years, starting by 31 March 2027
• Application Deadline: 1 October 2025, 4:00 PM UK time
• Application Fee: None

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, you must:

• Be an early career researcher with a PhD or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrate clear leadership potential.
• Be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation with an STFC ERF quota (check the list of eligible institutions).
• Not hold a tenured academic position or a lecturer-level post (or equivalent) at the time of application.

Also check: Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

International Applicants: The fellowship is open to applicants of any nationality. If you require a visa, you may be eligible for the Global Talent visa under the “exceptional promise” category. You must comply with UK Visas and Immigration requirements and secure a work permit before starting.

Career Breaks: Applications are welcome from researchers returning after a break of at least one year (e.g., due to illness, caring responsibilities, or non-academic work). You can apply for the STFC Return to Research Support Bursary if applicable.

Funding Details

The fellowship covers 80% of the full economic cost (FEC) of your project, with the host institution funding the remaining 20%. Costs that can be requested include:

Also check: Asia in the World Fellowship Programme 2026/2027

• Salary: Agreed with your host institution, including employer’s national insurance and superannuation contributions.
• Travel: Up to £2,200 per year for collaborative visits, fieldwork, and one conference/workshop annually.
• Minor Equipment and Consumables: Up to £5,000 for the entire fellowship duration.
• Relocation and Visa Costs: Up to £1,200 (from Europe) or £3,000 (outside Europe) for international applicants.
• Reasonable Adjustments: Costs for adjustments directly related to the project (employment-related adjustments are covered by the host).

See also: KAUST Global Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service (not the Joint Electronic Submissions system). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your host organisation has an STFC ERF quota and contact them early, as they may have internal selection processes and deadlines (often weeks before 1 October 2025).
2. Prepare Your Application:
   • Summary (550 words): A plain-English overview of your project for public use.
   • Vision and Approach (6 pages, A4, 11-point Arial): Detail your research vision, its importance, methodology, and project plan.
   • Applicant Capability (1,650 words): Showcase your skills, experience, and contributions using the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format.
   • Career Development (1,000 words): Explain how the fellowship will advance your career and benefit the research community.
   • Host Organisation Support (1,000 words): Provide evidence of the host’s commitment, including mentoring and resource support.
   • Resources and Cost Justification (1,000 words): Justify costs like travel or consumables.
   • Other Sections: Address ethics, intellectual property, data management, and Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) principles.
3. Submit: Send your application to your research office for review before final submission by 1 October 2025, 4:00 PM UK time.

Also check: FRIAS Fellowship Programmes 2025/2026