Study in Scotland | University of Edinburgh Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026
The University of Edinburgh is now inviting applications for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026, one of the UK’s most competitive opportunities for postdoctoral researchers. The program is designed to help early career scholars strengthen their independent research, develop an academic profile, and produce publications that make a lasting impact in their fields.
Open to researchers across diverse disciplines, the fellowship also serves as a pathway toward long-term academic positions. By offering resources, mentorship, and an intellectually stimulating environment, the University of Edinburgh provides fellows with the support they need to build successful and sustainable academic careers.
Sponsorship Proposal
The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2026 offers complete financial backing for three years of full-time commitment. Fellows may also ask to take the award part-time over a longer duration in relation to health, disability, or childcare issues. A total of 145 fellowships will be granted in 2026. Participants gain from:
- A completely financed three-year scholarship at a UK host organization.
- Support and advice from top scholars at the University of Edinburgh.
- Chances to disseminate important research findings.
- Support from institutions for advancement to permanent academic roles.
This package positions the Leverhulme Fellowship as one of the most appealing fully funded fellowships in the UK available for postdoctoral researchers.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2026, applicants need to satisfy the eligibility criteria set by both the Trust and the University:
- Possess a PhD degree and be within four years of the oral examination (after 19 February 2022).
- Career pauses like maternity leave, sickness, or caregiving are recognized as exceptions.
- Must have backing from a UK host institution and be connected to the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science (via study, employment, or current research collaborations).
- Should possess a minimum of two high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
- Applicants of every nationality are encouraged to apply, provided they live in the UK throughout the fellowship.
- Candidates holding permanent academic positions or who have previously directed a similar three-year project do not qualify.
This guarantees that the fellowship stays accessible to new scholars who demonstrate research promise.
Procedure for Application
The process of application starts by reaching out to the SPS Research Office at the University of Edinburgh to express interest. Candidates need to find a mentor, create a two-page project proposal, provide one page of references, submit a two-page CV, and include a one-page statement from the mentor. After submitting by the internal deadline, candidates on the shortlist will obtain detailed feedback to enhance their applications before the final submission to the Leverhulme Trust
Application Timeline
The University of Edinburgh conducts a preliminary selection process prior to presenting candidates to the Leverhulme Trust. Here are the important dates for the 2026 Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship process:
- 10 November 2025 – School’s internal deadline for project proposal, resume, references, and mentor endorsement statement.
- Mid-December 2025 – Announcement of chosen candidates.
- 1 January 2026 – The application portal for the Leverhulme Trust becomes accessible.
- 29 January 2026 – Submitted draft applications with budget for School evaluation.
- 19 February 2026 – Last date for submission to the Leverhulme Trust.
- May 2026 – Results of the fellowship revealed.
This timeline emphasizes the significance of early mentor involvement and internal deadlines at the University.
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