Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships 2026

Applications are now open for expression of interest for the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships 2026/27. This fully funded 5-year fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers from around the world who want to become future research leaders in engineering. The programme provides substantial financial support, mentoring, and career development opportunities. It is open to researchers who have completed their PhD within the last four years. There is no application fee. You can check out more BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Post-PhD (Research Fellowship)
• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Duration: 5 years
• Application Opening: May 2026
• Application Deadline: Thursday, 25 June 2026
• Start Date: Between 1 August 2027 and 31 October 2027
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Open to applicants of all nationalities
• Field of Study: All areas of Engineering

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Financial Support: Up to £800,000 over five years to cover salary, research costs, travel, equipment, and other expenses.
• Protected Research Time: Significant reduction in teaching and administrative duties so you can focus fully on your research.
• Mentoring: Personal guidance and advice from an experienced Academy Fellow throughout the five years.
• Career Development: Training programmes, additional funding opportunities, and help to build your international reputation.
• Networking: Opportunities to connect with other Research Fellows and senior Academy Fellows.
• Long-term Advantage: A strong research track record that improves your chances of winning future grants and building your own research team.
• Community: Lifetime membership in the RAEng Awardee Excellence Community.

Also Check: Postdoctoral Research Position at University of Edinburgh, UK (2026)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have been awarded your PhD (or received unconditional approval) no more than 4 years before 25 June 2026.
• A grace period of up to 6 months is allowed in this round.
• Extra time is considered for maternity/paternity leave, sick leave, caring responsibilities, or other extenuating circumstances.
• Your research project must be in an engineering subject area (defined in its broadest sense).
• The fellowship must be hosted at a UK university or a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.
• The host institution must confirm it will support you like a permanent employee.
• You can apply full-time or part-time (minimum 50% time commitment).
• There are no restrictions on nationality or age.

Important: The host institution is responsible for your work permit and related costs.

Also Check: The Ketchum PRISM Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Eligible Fields / Programs:

The fellowship is open to all engineering disciplines. Here are the main fields:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science & Software Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Manufacturing and Production Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
• Structural Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering
• Any other engineering-related field (broadly defined)

Also Check: Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship 2026

How to Apply:

1. Contact a suitable UK university or research organisation and obtain their formal support.
2. Check if the host institution has an internal selection process and deadline.
3. Prepare your application carefully.
4. Submit your application through the Academy’s Grants Management System (GMS) before the deadline.
5. Read the official Applicant Guidance Notes 2026/27 (available from May 2026) for complete details.

Tip: Start contacting potential host institutions as early as possible because each institution can only submit a limited number of applications.

Also Check: Post Doctoral Fellowships at Leeds University, UK (Fully Funded)