Leverhulme Research Fellowships 2027: Up to £70,000

Leverhulme Trust

Fellowships
UK
September 22, 2026

The Leverhulme Research Fellowships 2027 support experienced researchers at eligible UK universities who need dedicated time to complete a programme of original research. The fellowship can provide up to £70,000 for a period of 3 to 24 months.

The current round closes on 5 November 2026. Successful fellowships must be taken up between 1 June 2027 and 1 May 2028.

The scheme is particularly intended for researchers whose teaching and administrative duties have significantly reduced the time available for research during the three years before applying.

Quick Details

Detail	Information
Opportunity	Leverhulme Research Fellowships
Provider	Leverhulme Trust
Current cycle	Research Fellowships 2027
Maximum value	£70,000
Duration	3–24 months
Approx. awards	About 100 fellowships per year
Eligible applicants	Experienced researchers holding eligible posts at UK universities
Residence	Applicants must be resident in the UK at the time of application
Fields	All subject areas, with important medical research exclusions
Research focus	Original research
International research	Projects may include an international research focus
Fellowship start period	1 June 2027–1 May 2028
Deadline	5 November 2026
Application route	Leverhulme Grant System

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What Is the Leverhulme Research Fellowship?

The Research Fellowship scheme is designed to give experienced researchers protected time to undertake or complete a programme of original research.

The Trust gives particular priority to researchers whose normal teaching and administrative responsibilities have significantly affected their ability to conduct research during the previous three years.

This is important because the fellowship is not simply a general research grant. It is intended to help an eligible researcher obtain time away from normal duties and meet reasonable replacement costs and research expenses.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet several conditions.

You must:

hold a post at a UK university with research degree-awarding powers;
have a post that will continue beyond the proposed Fellowship;
be an experienced researcher;
be a permanent member of the UK scholarly community;
have an established research track record in your chosen field; and
be resident in the United Kingdom at the time of application.

The Trust gives priority to applicants whose teaching and administrative duties have significantly affected their research activity during the three years before application.

An important point for international researchers

The requirement to be resident in the UK and to hold an eligible post at a UK university means this is not a general international fellowship for researchers who live outside the UK.

For example, an independent researcher living outside the UK cannot apply simply because their research has an international topic.

The official eligibility rules should be checked carefully against your employment and residence situation before you begin an application.

What Research Areas Are Eligible?

Applications are considered across all subject areas, but there are important exclusions.

The scheme does not support:

studies of disease, illness or disabilities in humans or animals; or
research intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications.

The Trust explains that its priority is to support research of a fundamental nature, while substantial funding for applied medical research is available from other sources.

Therefore, researchers in areas such as humanities, social sciences, arts and many fundamental science disciplines may potentially fit the scheme, provided their project meets the Trust’s other requirements.

Can the Research Be International?

Yes.

A project may have an international research focus, including research undertaken overseas where this is required by the project.

However, international research is not a requirement.

The Trust states that overseas research visits should be driven by the research requirements of the individual project. Each application is considered on its own merits, whether the research takes place in the UK or overseas.

This means the international element should have a clear research purpose rather than being added simply to make an application appear international.

What Does the Fellowship Cover?

The maximum total value of a Research Fellowship is £70,000.

The award can assist with:

reasonable replacement costs; and
research expenses.

Replacement costs may be considered for applicants in full-time or part-time continuing posts where leave of absence is granted on full pay.

The amount requested depends on the proposed work and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

Is it fully funded?

The official information does not describe the Research Fellowship as a general “fully funded” scholarship.

The £70,000 maximum is intended for eligible replacement costs and research expenses. Applicants should therefore not interpret the maximum award as £70,000 in personal income or as a general allowance covering every possible expense.

The exact eligible costs depend on the application and the Trust’s financial rules.

How Long Is the Fellowship?

A Research Fellowship can last from 3 to 24 months.

Fellows must commit at least 75% of their time to the Fellowship research project throughout the award period.

The 2027 round requires fellowships to be taken up between:

1 June 2027 and 1 May 2028.

Who Cannot Apply?

The scheme excludes several categories of applicants and projects.

Research Fellowships do not support:

independent scholars;
people registered, intending to register, or waiting to have work examined for a degree, doctoral study, professional qualification or vocational qualification;
PhD or other degree programmes;
applicants working in posts that are wholly or predominantly research-focused at the time of application;
staff on short-term research contracts seeking replacement costs or loss of earnings for their existing research duties; or
applications where the primary cost is research assistance.

The fellowship also does not provide a new post or position for the applicant.

Can PhD Students Apply?

No.

The Research Fellowship is not a PhD scholarship and does not support doctoral studies or other programmes of study.

The scheme is aimed at experienced researchers who already have an established research career and an eligible academic position.

How Many Fellowships Are Available?

The Leverhulme Trust states that approximately 100 Research Fellowships are offered each year.

This is an approximate annual figure rather than a guarantee of the number of awards available in the 2027 round.

Application Process

Applications are made through the Leverhulme Grant System.

Before submitting an application, applicants should read the relevant:

Application Help Notes; and
System Help Notes.

There is also an important institutional approval stage.

Your application must be approved by an administrative officer acting on behalf of your employing institution.

The institution must confirm matters including:

the period and proportion of time requested;
arrangements for your time away from normal duties;
your normal salary during the award if replacement costs are requested; and
institutional support for requested research expenses.

The Trust recommends submitting the application for institutional approval at least five working days before the closing date.

This is an important practical point: the deadline is not only about finishing your own application. Your university also needs enough time to complete its approval process.

Required Documents and Application Information

Applicants should use the current Application Help Notes when preparing their application because the exact information and form requirements are controlled by the Trust’s current application system.

The official page also provides specific instructions for practising artists.

Practising artists

Practising artists should provide online access to up to 12 photographs or images, or a short example of film or music where appropriate.

Links to these examples should be included in the Detailed Statement of Proposed Research.

Applicants in other disciplines should follow the current application form and guidance rather than assuming that the same portfolio requirement applies to them.

Selection and Common Reasons for Unsuccessful Applications

The Trust explains that competition is high and funding is limited.

Its published feedback identifies several issues that have contributed to unsuccessful applications in previous rounds, including:

the research project being too general;
unclear individual responsibilities in a team project;
insufficient evidence that the applicant has the skills needed to complete the project;
exaggerated claims about originality;
weak engagement with previous research;
insufficient explanation of the project’s contribution to the wider research area;
inadequate attention to risks and mitigation;
unclear research methodology;
overly technical methodology without a clear explanation of its purpose; and
insufficient explanation of why a Research Fellowship is important for completing a longer-term project.

The Trust also notes that an otherwise strong project may be unsuccessful when other applications are ranked more highly or when priority is given to applicants whose teaching and administrative duties have significantly affected their research.

These points are useful preparation guidance, but they should not be treated as a separate set of eligibility requirements.

Can Previous Applicants Apply Again?

Yes.

Previously unsuccessful applicants may reapply.

However, applicants can submit only one Research Fellowship application per round.

There are also special rules for previous Fellowship holders:

a previous Research Fellowship holder must normally wait at least seven years since the previous application before applying again;
someone who previously held an International Fellowship may apply if at least three years have passed between the International Fellowship application and the Research Fellowship application.

Can I Apply to Other Funding Bodies?

Yes.

Applicants may apply to other funding bodies without prejudice.

However, if identical projects receive funding from both the Leverhulme Trust and another funder, the expectation is that only one award will be accepted.

If different projects receive funding, there must not be duplication between budget items funded by the Trust and another organisation.

Applicants must also be able to maintain the required time commitment to the Research Fellowship.

Deadline for Leverhulme Research Fellowships 2027

The current closing date is:

5 November 2026

The fellowship must then be taken up between:

1 June 2027 and 1 May 2028.

Because institutional approval is required, applicants should not wait until the final day to send the application for university approval.

The Trust recommends giving the institution at least five working days to process the approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Leverhulme Research Fellowship open to all nationalities?

The scheme does not present itself as a general nationality-based international fellowship. Applicants must meet the UK employment and residence requirements, including holding an eligible post at a UK university and being resident in the UK at the time of application.

The official page does not provide a separate nationality list.

Can researchers from Afghanistan apply?

An Afghan researcher may only be considered if they meet the same current eligibility requirements as other applicants, including the UK university employment and UK residence requirements.

Being an Afghan national by itself does not establish eligibility.

Can an independent researcher apply?

No. Independent scholars are specifically listed among the ineligible applicants.

Can I use the Fellowship to fund a PhD?

No. The scheme does not provide support for PhDs or other degree programmes.

Does the Fellowship cover tuition fees?

This scheme is not presented as a tuition-fee scholarship. It supports eligible replacement costs and research expenses.

Tuition-fee coverage is not specified on the official source as a standard Fellowship benefit.

Does it pay a salary?

The official guidance discusses replacement costs and states that, where replacement costs are requested, the applicant will remain in receipt of their normal salary during the tenure of the award.

The £70,000 maximum should therefore not be described as a personal salary or stipend.

Is IELTS required?

The official information provided for this scheme does not state an IELTS or TOEFL requirement.

Therefore, it should not be advertised as either “IELTS required” or “No IELTS required” without checking the current application guidance for any additional institutional or application-system requirements.

Can the research be conducted outside the UK?

Yes, where overseas research is justified by the research project. The Trust explicitly states that projects with an international research focus are welcome.

However, this does not remove the requirement for the applicant to meet the UK employment and residence eligibility conditions.