Fellowship tips and guidance
Getting started
We encourage you to contact potential academic mentors early—ideally at least four months before the scheme deadline. Early discussions help you develop your ideas and understand how your research aligns with work in the Department (a key component of a successful proposal).
Our staff are happy to work with applicants to develop high‑quality submissions. Use the information on our Research Themes pages to find contact details and, when you get in touch, please include a brief outline of your proposed project and a CV. This will help the academic staff member advise you on suitable schemes and application strategies.
Once you have identified a mentor and the fellowship schemes you intend to apply for, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to our Research Administrator, this allows us to confirm your eligibility and ensure you are targeting the right opportunities.
Developing your research idea
Think about:
- The scientific questions that genuinely excite you
- What will interest the broader research community
- How you can demonstrate that you are the right person, in the right place, at the right time, to take this science further
- Consider how a fellowship could support your career—you can use it to broaden your current expertise or to explore new skills or research areas.
Check the remit of fellowship schemes
Read the guidance provided by funders and check that your project fits their remit for funding. Speak with staff in related areas about their experience with different schemes. Be open to applying to multiple scheme and preparing draft proposals.
Plan your budget
Consider what your proposed research will cost, especially if you require specialist equipment or facilities. Ensure your plans are realistic within the funding available. If you’re unsure, please ask—we can advise on costings that need to be included.
Letters of support
Many fellowship applications require letters from Heads of Department or sometimes Pro‑Vice‑Chancellors. These can only be requested once your application is nearly complete, so please allow sufficient time for these to be well-written. Your academic mentor will help coordinate these letters, but planning ahead is essential.
Fellowships at Cambridge Earth Sciences
The Department of Earth Sciences provides fellows with office and laboratory space, as well as access to shared research facilities.
A range of fellowship opportunities are available: shorter schemes—such as Marie Skłodowska‑Curie, Royal Commission 1851 Fellowships,and Cambridge College Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs)—are ideal for researchers nearing the end of their PhD or in the early postdoctoral stage. College JRFs are advertised year‑round and offer modest research funding alongside benefits like accommodation and meals.
Longer fellowships, including NERC Independent Research Fellowships, Royal Society University Research Fellowships and STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships, allow researchers to operate with significant independence, manage their own research funds, and co‑supervise students with full departmental support.
Fellows are not expected to take on significant teaching or administrative duties, though opportunities to contribute to departmental activities are available. You will also be assigned a mentor to support your career development, and most of our fellows go on to secure permanent positions at leading institutions worldwide.
Deadlines and next steps
Our Fellowship Opportunities page lists indicative deadlines for each fellowship. These schemes typically run annually, so exact dates may vary slightly each year. You should always check the funder’s website for the most up‑to‑date deadlines, eligibility criteria, and application requirements.
Please note that internal deadlines—for both the Department and the University Research Office—are usually five working days before the funder’s deadline.