UK University of Edinburgh Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Overview

Degree Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship

Duration: 3 years (full-time), with part-time options for health or family reasons

Description

Degree Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship

Duration: 3 years (full-time), with part-time options for health or family reasons

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Funding Body: Leverhulme Trust

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualification:

Must hold a PhD or have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce no earlier than 19 February 2022.

Must have submitted their thesis for viva by 19 February 2026.

Career Stage:

Applicants should be within 4 years of their successful viva date.

Exemptions allowed for career breaks (maternity leave, illness, or family commitments).

Nationality:

Candidates of any nationality are eligible, but must reside in the UK during the fellowship.

Institutional Affiliation:

Must hold a degree from a UK higher education institution, or

Hold an academic position in the UK that started at least 4 months before the closing date.

School (SPS) Criteria:

Prior association with the University of Edinburgh or SPS, such as:

Prior or current employment at the university for at least 3 months.

Study affiliation at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Ongoing research collaboration with SPS faculty.

Research Record:

Must demonstrate a proven record of research with at least two peer-reviewed academic publications as leading author.

Exclusions:

Applicants holding permanent academic positions are not eligible.

Those who have been Principal Investigators on a three-year postdoctoral project are not eligible.

Additional Information

Degree Level

Degree Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship

Duration: 3 years (full-time), with part-time options for health or family reasons

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Funding Body: Leverhulme Trust

Available Subjects

The fellowship is open to candidates whose research aligns with the social and political sciences, including but not limited to:

Sociology

Social Policy

Politics and International Relations

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Social Anthropology

Social Work

Centre of African Studies

Benefits

The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship offers substantial benefits to support academic development:

Full salary funding for three years.

Research expenses and institutional contributions provided by the Leverhulme Trust.

Mentorship support from University of Edinburgh faculty members.

Access to world-class facilities and a vibrant research community.

Professional development opportunities aimed at securing permanent academic roles.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to applicants of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualification:

Must hold a PhD or have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce no earlier than 19 February 2022.

Must have submitted their thesis for viva by 19 February 2026.

Career Stage:

Applicants should be within 4 years of their successful viva date.

Exemptions allowed for career breaks (maternity leave, illness, or family commitments).

Nationality:

Candidates of any nationality are eligible, but must reside in the UK during the fellowship.

Institutional Affiliation:

Must hold a degree from a UK higher education institution, or

Hold an academic position in the UK that started at least 4 months before the closing date.

School (SPS) Criteria:

Prior association with the University of Edinburgh or SPS, such as:

Prior or current employment at the university for at least 3 months.

Study affiliation at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Ongoing research collaboration with SPS faculty.

Research Record:

Must demonstrate a proven record of research with at least two peer-reviewed academic publications as leading author.

Exclusions:

Applicants holding permanent academic positions are not eligible.

Those who have been Principal Investigators on a three-year postdoctoral project are not eligible.

Application Procedure

1. Identify a Mentor

Applicants must first identify and secure a mentor from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) who agrees to support their project.

2. Register Interest

Email your expression of interest to the SPS Research Office at ssps.research@ed.ac.uk as soon as possible.

3. Submit Documents to SPS

Submit the following documents to SPS by Monday, 10 November 2025:

2-page project proposal

1-page bibliography/references

2-page academic CV

1-page mentor support statement

All documents should be in Calibri or Arial (size 11, 2 cm margins).

4. Internal Review

The School Panel will assess and select candidates. Decisions will be communicated by mid-December 2025. Selected candidates will receive detailed feedback and support for final submission.

5. Full Application Submission

1 January 2026: Leverhulme Trust application portal opens.

29 January 2026: Full draft applications with budgets due for internal review.

19 February 2026: Final submission deadline to Leverhulme Trust.

May 2026: Final results announced by the Trust.

Conclusion

The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2025/26 at the University of Edinburgh is a prestigious and competitive opportunity for early-career researchers aiming to establish themselves as independent scholars. With full funding, strong mentorship, and access to world-class research facilities, this fellowship offers an exceptional pathway toward an academic career in the social and political sciences.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

Who can apply for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2026? Applicants who completed their PhD (or submitted for viva) after 19 February 2022 and are within 4 years of their viva date are eligible.

Is this fellowship fully funded? Yes. The Leverhulme Trust provides full salary and research funding for up to three years.

Can international applicants apply? Yes. Applicants of any nationality are eligible, provided they reside in the UK for the duration of the fellowship.

Do I need a mentor to apply? Yes. Applicants must secure a mentor from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science before applying.

What is the main goal of the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship? The fellowship aims to help early-career researchers undertake significant, publishable work and transition to permanent academic positions.

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UK University of Edinburgh Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Overview

Description

Eligibility

Additional Information

Degree Level

Available Subjects

Benefits

Eligible Nationalities

Eligibility Criteria

Application Procedure

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

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