The Newton International Fellowships 2026 give early-career researchers from outside the UK up to £280,000 for two years of research at a top UK school or institute. Run by the Royal Society and British Academy it helps you start your own projects in science, humanities or social sciences. This guide shows you the fields benefits who can apply documents steps and dates so you can team up with a UK sponsor and submit. Also check the FASPE Fellowships 2026 for Professional Ethics.
Newton International Fellowships Summary
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Level | Two-year postdoctoral research fellowship |
| Coverage | £280,000 total (salary research costs overheads visa and family help) |
| Fields | Natural sciences (Royal Society) or humanities/social sciences (British Academy) |
| Deadline | March 11, 2026 (opens January 15, 2026) |
About the Newton International Fellowships
The Newton International Fellowships started to bring the best young researchers to the UK. The Royal Society handles natural sciences like biology math physics chemistry engineering and biomedical work. The British Academy covers humanities and social sciences like history, economics, law and languages. You work at a UK university or lab with a sponsor who helps your project. The goal is to build links between countries and make you a leader. For 2026 they changed rules to handle more apps. They added a quick check on your idea first then full review. This keeps it fair and picks the strongest. About 20 to 25 fellowships go out each year but more this time with extra money for people from China and Switzerland.
Fellowship Benefits
You get full support for two years.
- £280,000 total funding.
- Salary for you about £25,000 to £35,000 a year based on your experience.
- Money for research tools, travel and lab costs.
- UK school pays overheads for their part.
- Visa help through Global Talent fast track.
- Extra for moving you and your family like spouse or kids.
- Spots at conferences and UK events.
- After you finish you join the Newton alumni group for jobs and talks forever. Many fellows stay in the UK or go back home with big networks.
Also See: Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2026 (NJFP)
Eligibility Criteria
You must:
- Have your PhD done or defended by March 11, 2026.
- Have no more than five years of full postdoc work after PhD (breaks like family leave do not count).
- Live outside the UK now and not be a UK citizen.
- Speak and write English well.
- Pick natural sciences for Royal Society or humanities/social sciences for British Academy.
- Find a UK sponsor like a professor who will guide you and co-write your plan.
- If disabled you get extra time or help like different file types or interview changes. You cannot apply if you worked in the UK for more than six months in the last three years.
Required Documents
You need to send:
- Online form with your details PhD info and sponsor name.
- Full research plan (10 pages) with what you will do, why it matters and how it fits the sponsor.
- CV with your education, jobs, awards and papers.
- PhD transcript or proof it is done.
- Two reference letters from people who know your work (they send direct).
- Sponsor statement from your UK host about why they want you and what they offer.
- Head of department letter from the UK school about space and support.
- Outline proposal for the first quick check. All in English and PDF.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Applications open: January 15, 2026
- Deadline for full apps: March 11, 2026
- Outline triage: Right after you submit.
- Longlist and full review: March to July 2026
- Final decisions: August 31, 2026
- Fellowship starts: By March 2027 (you pick with sponsor). Check the site often for any changes.
How to Apply for Newton International Fellowships
You apply online through the Royal Society or British Academy site.
- Check if your field fits Royal Society or British Academy (email them if not sure).
- Find a UK sponsor early they must agree to work with you.
- Make an outline of your idea for the first review.
- If you pass that write the full app with sponsor help.
- Submit on Flexi-Grant by the date.
- They do a quick look at outlines then full check by experts.
- Top ones get picked by August 2026.
- Start by March 2027 at the latest. Pick a sponsor from places like Oxford Cambridge or Imperial they list ideas on their sites.