Leverhulme Trust Grant Schemes for Researchers and Students
The Trust is dedicated to fostering academic excellence by providing diverse financial mechanisms to support researchers and students. By offering a wide array of grants and fellowships, the Trust enables scholars at various stages of their careers to pursue original research, develop their professional skills, and contribute meaningful insights to their respective fields.
Key Facts
- Diverse Support: Funding ranges from doctoral scholarships and arts training to senior research leadership awards.
- Global Reach: Several schemes support international collaboration and study, though some specific geographic restrictions apply.
- Career Stages: Opportunities are available for early-career academics, experienced researchers, and retired professors.
- Flexible Research: Many grants allow applicants to define their own themes and research designs.
Research Project and Leadership Funding
For those looking to launch significant new inquiries, the Trust provides substantial project-based support. Research Project Grants provide funding for up to five years to employ research staff for high-quality original projects. In these cases, the applicant maintains full control over the research design and theme.
For academics transitioning into leadership roles, Research Leadership Awards are available every three years. These are designed for researchers who have started their university careers and need to build a dedicated team to solve a distinctive research problem. To ensure a broad distribution of funds, each UK institution is limited to a single bid.
Fellowships for Career Development
The Trust offers several fellowship tiers tailored to different professional milestones:
- Early Career Fellowships: Two to three-year opportunities for academics at an early stage of their career who possess a proven research record.
- Research Fellowships: Up to two years of support for experienced researchers, specifically those whose routine duties have hindered the completion of original research. These are open to individuals regardless of whether they hold a higher education appointment.
- Major Research Fellowships: Up to three years of full-time teaching replacement, allowing the researcher to focus exclusively on a project, often resulting in a published monograph.
- Emeritus Fellowships: Up to two years of research support for applicants who have retired from an academic post.
International Opportunities and Academic Exchange
Global collaboration is a cornerstone of academic growth. The Trust facilitates this through several specialized schemes:
Study Abroad Studentships support up to two years of advanced research or study at an overseas center of learning, excluding the United States. Similarly, International Fellowships are open to those holding full-time posts at UK higher education institutions (or comparable bodies) to spend up to two years in a stimulating overseas academic environment.
To bring global expertise into the UK, Visiting Professorships allow distinguished overseas academics to spend up to ten months at a UK university to enhance the skills of the host institution's students and staff.
Scholarships and Prestigious Prizes
Beyond traditional research grants, the Trust invests in the next generation of scholars and recognizes exceptional achievement:
The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships nurture young researchers by funding 15 scholarships per award at UK universities. For those in the creative sectors, Arts Scholarships provide training across fine and performing arts through either individual talent bursaries or innovative teaching awards.
For established scholars, the Philip Leverhulme Prizes are awarded to those who have made a substantial, internationally recognized contribution to their field and are expected to make further significant progress.
Summary of Grant Schemes
| Scheme Name | Duration | Primary Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Research Project Grants | Up to 5 years | Original high-quality projects |
| Research Leadership Awards | Varies (Every 3 years) | Early-career researchers building teams |
| Early Career Fellowships | 2-3 years | Early-stage academics with proven records |
| Research Fellowships | Up to 2 years | Experienced researchers |
| Major Research Fellowships | Up to 3 years | Researchers seeking teaching replacement |
| International Fellowships | Up to 2 years | UK-based academics going overseas |
| Study Abroad Studentships | Up to 2 years | Students/Researchers (Excl. USA) |
| Emeritus Fellowships | Up to 2 years | Retired academic staff |
| Visiting Professorships | Up to 10 months | Distinguished overseas academics |
| Doctoral Scholarships | Varies | PhD students in UK universities |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any UK institution apply for the Research Leadership Award?
Yes, however, each UK institution is strictly limited to one bid per application cycle.
Are International Fellowships open to non-UK residents?
These fellowships are specifically open to those who currently hold a full-time post in a UK institution of higher education or a comparable institution.
Which countries are eligible for Study Abroad Studentships?
Study Abroad Studentships are available for any overseas country with the sole exception of the United States.
What is the purpose of a Major Research Fellowship?
It provides full-time teaching replacement for up to three years, enabling the applicant to concentrate on research, typically to produce a monograph.
Who is eligible for the Philip Leverhulme Prizes?
These prizes are for outstanding scholars who have made a substantial and recognized international contribution to their field and are expected to continue making progress.