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Expressions of Interest: Research Fellowships at Northumbria

Expressions of Interest: Research Fellowships at Northumbria

Fellowship opportunities are designed to support early career researchers to develop an independent research career at a UK research institution.  New opportunities will be added to this page as they open for expressions of interest.

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships: expressions of interest

Call page: Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships

We are inviting expressions of interest (EoIs) from prospective Fellows who wish to nominate Northumbria University as their host institution. Please submit your EoI by 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026. Our internal process runs before the call opens on 1 January 2027, giving shortlisted candidates time to develop a full application. Outcomes will be shared in the week commencing 7 December 2026.

About the scheme

The fellowship is intended for early career researchers with a research record who have not yet held a full-time permanent academic post, to undertake significant publishable work distinct from their doctoral research. Since Leverhulme believes career development is best served by moving institutions, applicants who haven't already changed institution since their undergraduate degree should nominate a new host university, or clearly justify remaining at the same one (for example, access to specialist equipment or a specialist research team).

Value and duration

Fellowships run for three years full-time. The scheme is based on a pattern of joint support whereby the Leverhulme Trust will contribute up to £118,000 towards the Fellow’s total salary costs (including National Insurance and superannuation) with the balance contributed by the host university.  The Fellow may additionally request up to £6,000 per annum in research expenses to further their research activities. Full details can be found on the call page. The Trust supports part-time working over a proportionately longer period for health, disability or childcare reasons.

Eligibility 

  1. Applicants must not have held a full-time permanent academic post (UK or overseas), and cannot hold one concurrently with the Fellowship; those on a stipendiary Fellowship are also ineligible. 
  2. Applicants must hold a doctorate by the time they take up the Fellowship or must have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination between 18 February 2023 and 4pm 18 February 2027 (career breaks considered).
  3. Applicants need either a UK degree or a UK academic post held for at least 4 months before the deadline. Fellows must reside in the UK. Applicants who have not already moved institutions (between their undergraduate university and proposed host university) should nominate a new host university, or justify remaining at the same one.
  4. This is a summary only - please check full eligibility details on the call page.

How to submit your expression of interest

Complete all three steps below by the expression of interest deadline 5pm, Friday 20 November 2026.

  1. Identify and contact a Northumbria research mentor who is willing to support your EoI and, if you are shortlisted, your full application. You can find potential mentors through Our Schools or the Research Portal
  2. Complete our Expression of Interest Form confirming your mentor’s details.
  3. Email a single PDF of no more than four pages to our Research Office, comprising:
  • a two-page statement of your proposed research, covering aims and objectives, methodology and intended outcomes, aligned with Leverhulme’s assessment criteria. Please demonstrate how your research builds upon, but is significantly distinct from, your doctoral thesis, as Leverhulme cites this as one of the most common reasons for unsuccessful applications.
  • a two-page CV highlighting your academic qualifications, major publications and how you meet the eligibility criteria.

Queries

Please get in touch with our Research Office at rm.research.development@northumbria.ac.uk if you have any queries or require assistance.

 

Page last reviewed: 23 October 2026

Next review due: 23 October 2027

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