St John’s College Research Fellowship in UK: A Prestigious Opportunity for Early-Career Researchers

Applications are now invited for the 2026 St John’s College Research Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, a prestigious four-year research award starting 1 October 2026. This fully-funded fellowship supports early-career academics in all STEM fields and Arts/Humanities disciplines, including Anthropology, Classics, History, and Philosophy. It is open to graduates of any university who have recently submitted or are nearing completion of their PhD. The fellowship offers a stipend starting at £33,482 annually, research grants, housing support, and no application fee, making it an exceptional opportunity to advance independent research in a world-class academic environment.

You can find more opportunities like this by clicking here.

Key Details

• Program: St John’s College Research Fellowship 2026
• Institution: University of Cambridge, UK
• Duration: 4 years (1 October 2026 – 30 September 2030)
• Fields: All STEM subjects; Arts/Humanities (Anthropology, Architecture, Modern and Medieval Languages, Classics, Education, History, History and Philosophy of Science, History of Art, Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion, Land Economy, Philosophy)
• Funding: Fully funded covering housing allowance, research grants, stipend, meal
• Application Deadline: 18 September 2025
• Application Fee: None

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to a wide range of early-career researchers. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

• Academic Background: Be a graduate of any university (UK or international).
• Career Stage: Be a postdoctoral researcher who has submitted their PhD after 1 October 2024, or a graduate student on track to submit their PhD by 1 October 2026.
• Exclusions:
  • Holders of a fellowship at another Cambridge college are not eligible.
  • Candidates who accept a fellowship at another Cambridge college will be withdrawn from this competition.
  • Those with existing postdoctoral stipends (e.g., from a Research Council) may apply, but any external funding will be deducted from the fellowship award.

Also check: Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Research Fields

Applications are welcome in all STEM subjects and the following Arts/Humanities disciplines:

• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Modern and Medieval Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese)
• Classics
• Education
• History
• History and Philosophy of Science
• History of Art
• Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion
• Land Economy
• Philosophy

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

Benefits

• Stipend: Starts at £33,482 per year, with annual increases.
• Research Grants: Up to £10,000 over four years for academic expenses.
• Housing Allowance: Up to £35,760 over four years for non-College residents (paid monthly, capped at 50% of rent).
• Accommodation: Option to live in single College accommodation (charges apply) or receive a housing allowance for external residences.
• Meals: One free meal per day in College.
• Office Space: Provided for fellows living outside the College.
• Teaching Opportunities: Up to six hours of College or University teaching per week during term time, with additional pay.

Check also: Ernest Rutherford Fellowship 2025

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 St John’s College Research Fellowship must be submitted online by 14:00 BST on 18 September 2025. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Access the Application Portal: Visit https://app.casc.cam.ac.uk/fas_live/sjcrf/ and click the Apply button.
2. Complete the Application:
   • Provide your academic record and research details in plain text in the questionnaire section.
   • Upload PDF files for additional writings (e.g., research samples, not CVs or self-introductions).
   • Ensure all documents adhere to the total word limit for writings (including footnotes, references, etc.).
3. Submit References:
   • Arrange for three academic references to be submitted by 14:00 BST on 23 September 2025.
   • References should comment on the originality, quality, and future potential of your work.
   • You are responsible for ensuring referees submit on time (check spam folders or contact them directly if needed).
4. Review Your Application: No changes are allowed after submission, so ensure accuracy before submitting.

See also: KAUST Global Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers

Note: The College expects around 900 eligible applications, so submit a polished and complete application to stand out. For technical issues, contact [email protected]