Sir Henry Dale Fellowships

About Sir Henry Dale Fellowships

This scheme provides support for postdoctoral researchers who aim to become independent scientists leading their own groups. The scheme is a partnership between the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust.

Scheme at a glance

Career stage: Tooltip , Leading a research programme

Where your host organisation is based: UK

Type of researcher: Tooltip , Basic , Public health

Level of funding: Salary and research expenses covered

Duration of funding: 5 years (you can apply for 3 more years after this time)

Eligibility : Who can apply

You can apply for a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship if you’re already driving your own research and you’re ready to lead an independent research programme.

You must have a PhD and significant postdoctoral research experience.

You should have made important contributions to your area of research, eg publications, patents, software development or an impact on policy.

You must have sponsorship from a head of department or equivalent at an eligible host organisation in the UK. Applicants who want to be based in the Republic of Ireland should apply for a Research Career Development Fellowship instead.

If you’re proposing to stay in your current department, you should describe in your application how this proposal will further your independent scientific career.

If you’ve been away from research (eg for a career break, maternity leave, or long-term sick leave), we’ll allow for this when we consider your application.