Royal Society University Research Fellowship facts for kids

The Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF) is a special award for scientists. It helps talented young researchers in the United Kingdom. The Royal Society gives this award to people who could become leaders in their science field.

This fellowship helps pay for research in many areas of natural science. This includes studying living things (like animals and plants), how the world works (like physics and chemistry), and how to build new things (engineering). It does not cover medical research that involves treating patients.

About the Royal Society Research Fellowship

The URF award helps scientists build their own research careers. It allows them to work on important projects. People who get this award are expected to get permanent jobs at universities later. This means they can keep doing their research for a long time.

How the Fellowship Works

As of 2023, scientists can apply for up to £1.83 million. This money helps them for eight years. The fellowship pays for most of the scientist's salary, about 80%. The university where they work usually pays the other 20%. It also covers all their research costs.

The Royal Society gives out these awards every year. In 2022, 50 new fellowships were given out. These scientists worked at 28 different universities. It is quite hard to get this award. In 2015, only 8 out of every 100 applicants received one.

Famous Scientists Who Received the URF

Many important scientists have received the University Research Fellowship. Here are some examples of people who have been Fellows:

• Frances Ashcroft (1985–1990), Oxford
• Terri Attwood, University College London (1993-1999), University of Manchester (1999-2002)
• Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (2007–2013), University College London
• Richard Borcherds
• Sarah Bridle (2008–2012), University of Manchester
• Brian Cox (2005–2013), University of Manchester
• Gideon Davies (1996–2005), University of York
• Athene Donald (1983), University of Cambridge
• Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski (2000-2007), University of Cambridge
• David Jones (1995–1999), University College London
• Andrew P. Mackenzie (1993–2001), University of Birmingham
• Zita Martins (2014–2017), Imperial College London
• Shahn Majid (1993-2003)
• Angela McLean, University of Oxford
• John Pethica
• Tanya Monro (2000-2005), for research at the University of Southampton
• Tom Sanders (2016-2019), University of Oxford
• Suzie Sheehy (2017 - ), for research at the University of Oxford
• Nigel Scrutton (1991-1999), for research at University of Cambridge and University of Leicester
• Beth Shapiro (2006-2007), University of Oxford
• Stephen Warren
• David J. Wales (1991-1998), University of Cambridge
• Kathy Willis
• Tara Shears (2000-2008)