Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowships

Notify Faculty of intention to apply by: 27th March 2026

Funder deadline: 8th May 2026

Major Research Fellowships provide replacement teaching costs over two or three years, to allow academics in the humanities and social sciences to focus on a specific piece of original research. 

These awards enable well-established and distinguished researchers in the humanities and social sciences to devote themselves to a single research project of outstanding originality and significance, capable of completion within two or three years. Candidates should state explicitly what the proposed outcomes of the award will be. Fellowships are particularly aimed at those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research.

Further information can be found on the Major Research Fellowship page on the Leverhulme Trust's website.

Value
The Fellowships fund the salary costs (normally starting at the most junior point of the lecturer scale at the institution concerned) of an individual to undertake the normal duties of the applicant for the duration of the Fellowship.

A Major Research Fellow may also request research expenses up to an annual maximum of £6,000. If such funds are required they must be requested as part of the application procedure.

Duration
The duration of a Fellowship is for two or three years, to start at the beginning of the 2027/28 academic year. Decisions will be announced in December 2026.

Funder deadline: 8th May 2026

Research Services deadline: 30th April 2026

Faculty 1st draft review: 10th April 2026

Faculty EOI: 27th March 2026