The Royal Society has announced the opening of applications for the Short Industry Fellowship 2026 in the United Kingdom. This initiative under the Industry programme is designed for scientists in academia and industry, including their postdoctoral researchers, to foster short-term, impactful collaborations. It promotes dynamic exchanges between the two sectors, focusing on mutually beneficial projects.
The aims of the scheme are to:
- Support mobility of excellent academic or industry researchers (and/or their postdoctoral researcher) between the two sectors in the UK, across the natural sciences
- Enable the fellow to initiate and develop collaborative links between the academic and industry organisations, which may lead to longer-term collaborations (and can seek further funding through the Industry Fellowship)
- Support the career development of the fellow and/or their postdoctoral researcher gained through the working in the other sector
- Enhance knowledge exchange in science and technology between industry and academia. Awards must involve mobility between sectors i.e. UK-based private industry and a UK university or a not-for-profit research organisation.
Collaborations between academia and early-stage companies are particularly encouraged. It is anticipated that the personal and corporate links established by the researcher between the two sectors in the UK will seed longer-term collaborations and contribute to their long-term future development.
For longer term collaborative projects between industry and academia, see the Industry Fellowship.
The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. They regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant-making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.
Awards:-
The fellowship can be held full-time for three to six months or part-time at 50% for up to 12 months, providing flexibility for fellows to maintain connections with their primary institution. Benefits include coverage of the fellow’s basic salary during the secondment and research expenses up to £1,000. Additional support is available for personal circumstances such as childcare during conferences and research visits.
Deadline:- 26-06-2026
