The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship helps early-career scientists develop independent research with flexible support. The award lasts eight years. It responds to ongoing caring or health-related needs.
The current Royal Society round remains open until 29 October 2026. Its scheme notes specify 15:00 UK time. Applicants need an eligible UK host and a coordinated institutional submission.
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship Details
This award supports a route towards research independence. It combines scientific assessment with a specific need for flexibility rather than operating as a general postdoctoral grant.
The host relationship should be discussed early. Agree the facilities, support and approval timetable needed for the proposal before treating the application as an individual form-filling task.
Provider | Royal Society |
|---|---|
Host | Eligible UK research organisation |
Duration | Eight years, subject to review conditions |
Maximum | £1,907,400 total award request |
Research | Within the Royal Society’s natural-sciences remit |
Deadline | 29 October 2026, 15:00 UK time |
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Benefits and Funding
The maximum award request is £1,907,400 across eight years, not an annual personal stipend. Later-year costs depend on satisfactory progress and the mid-fellowship review.
For alternatives at or after the postdoctoral stage, compare the Dartmouth Neukom Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Jülich Computational Neurology postdoc and Jülich agroecosystem postdoc. These have different research fields and do not share Dorothy Hodgkin’s specific flexibility criterion.
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship Eligibility
Applicants of any nationality can be eligible if they meet the early-career, independence and flexible-support rules. Normally no more than six years of actual postdoctoral research experience is permitted, with adjustments for eligible breaks.
The need for flexibility must be current or present by the fellowship start. Permanent or equivalent independent-research positions can affect eligibility, so seek clarification for unusual employment arrangements.
Documents and Preparation
Prepare a research proposal, justified costs and the supporting contributions required in Flexi-Grant. The scheme notes set detailed limits for the proposal and application sections.
Coordinate referees, Head of Department support and research-office approval in advance. Put sensitive flexibility information in the prescribed section rather than scattering it through the scientific statement.
How to Apply
Apply through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant system. The institution’s final approval forms part of completing the submission.
Ask the host for its internal deadline, which can be earlier than the public cutoff. Leave time to inspect the generated application PDF and resolve missing participant contributions.
Application Deadline
The current scheme closes on 29 October 2026 at 15:00 UK time. Both the main page and 2027 scheme notes support the October date.
A September closing date does not match the current official round. Allow additional time for the host’s internal review and approval process.
Research Remit and Host Approval
The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship supports research within the Royal Society’s natural-sciences remit, including biological science, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. The scheme notes exclude clinical or interventional research on humans and generally exclude humanities and social sciences. Ask the grants team about an uncertain project before developing a full proposal.
The current notes expect fellowships to start between 1 October 2027 and 1 January 2028. Costs for years six to eight depend on progress and a review at the start of year four. Agree the host’s facilities, contributions and internal approval timetable early, because completing your own form is not the same as obtaining the institutional submission approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
This scheme combines scientific quality with a current need for flexible support. Neither a strong research proposal alone nor a general preference for flexible hours establishes eligibility.
Host approval and the total research budget also need attention before submission. Distinguish institutional funding from personal pay when discussing the award with a prospective host.
Is the scheme restricted to UK nationals?
Applicants of any nationality can be eligible under the scheme rules. The fellowship still needs an eligible UK host and compliance with the experience, independence and flexibility requirements.
Is £1,907,400 an annual salary?
That figure is the maximum total funding request across eight years. It must not be described as a personal annual stipend, and the proposed costs must follow the scheme’s funding rules.
Must the need for flexibility exist now?
The need must be current or present by the fellowship start under the published rules. Explain the relevant caring or health circumstances through the prescribed application section.
Can I submit without the host’s approval?
Institutional approval forms part of the required submission. Arrange supporting participants and research-office review early, since the host can set an internal deadline before the public cutoff.
Which closing date applies to the current round?
The current official round closes on 29 October 2026 at 15:00 UK time. Use that date and the host’s earlier internal timetable rather than an outdated September deadline.
Conclusion
The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship provides long-term support for independent science alongside a defined need for flexibility. The scientific plan and host commitment must work together.
Read the current scheme notes, coordinate institutional contributors and submit early. Use the verified October deadline rather than outdated discovery wording.
