Your research career in one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions? The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026at the University of Edinburgh are now open for applications—offering a time-sensitive, highly competitive, and fully-funded postdoctoral opportunity to develop your independent research profile, publish high-impact work, and position yourself for a long-term academic career.
Backed by the prestigious Leverhulme Trust, this program offers early career researchers across all disciplines a three-year funded fellowship to pursue innovative research with institutional support from one of the world’s leading universities. Whether your field lies in social sciences, humanities, science, or interdisciplinary studies, this fellowship can be your gateway to academic leadership. The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships are one of the most prestigious and sought-after postdoctoral funding schemes in the UK. Designed to support exceptional early-career researchers, the fellowship empowers scholars to produce original research, gain mentorship from senior academics, and build their trajectory towards a permanent academic role.
At the University of Edinburgh, fellows will receive dedicated support, access to world-class facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and guidance tailored to accelerate their academic journey. With only 145 awards made across the UK in 2026, securing this fellowship is a major academic milestone and a strong stepping stone toward tenure-track and permanent positions.
Key Benefits of the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship
Selected Fellows will benefit from:
A three-year full-time postdoctoral fellowship at a top-ranked UK institution.
Option to hold the fellowship part-time for valid personal reasons (e.g., disability, childcare).
Financial support covering salary, research expenses, and overheads.
Structured mentoring and academic development through the University of Edinburgh’s research environment.
Full institutional support to develop grant applications, publish, and transition into a permanent academic post.
Access to University of Edinburgh resources, seminars, networks, and collaborative opportunities.
Name of Organizer
The Leverhulme Trust in partnership with the University of Edinburgh
Requirements/ Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship through the University of Edinburgh, applicants must satisfy both Trust-level and university-level eligibility conditions. Here’s what you need to qualify:
2. Allowances for Career Breaks: Exemptions apply for maternity/paternity leave, illness, or care giving responsibilities.
3. University Affiliation: Must demonstrate existing or proposed affiliation with the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh (through research, collaboration, or study).
4. Nationality and Residency:
Open to all nationalities.
Applicants must reside in the UK during the period of the fellowship.
5. Research Experience: Should have at least two high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
6. Employment Restrictions: Not eligible if you:
Hold a permanent academic position, or
Have already led a similar three-year postdoctoral project.
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