Ramsay Memorial Fellowships Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (specific rate not available)
• Decision Time: Annual award cycle
• Grant Range: Fellowship stipends (amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: UK universities

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.soci.org/awards/scholarships-and-fellowships/ramsay-fellowship
• Email: accounts@soci.org
• Phone: 020 7581 5000
• Charity Number: 313811

Overview

The Ramsay Memorial Fellowships Trust was established in 1920 as a memorial to Sir William Ramsay, the Scottish chemist who discovered the noble gases and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904. The Trust provides postdoctoral research fellowships in chemical sciences, particularly focusing on inorganic and general chemistry. The fellowships enable early-career chemists to conduct original and independent research at UK universities. The Trust has a distinguished history, with many former Ramsay Fellows going on to become chemistry professors at leading universities or hold senior positions in industry.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Ramsay Memorial Fellowships: Postdoctoral research fellowships for early-career chemists
• British Ramsay Fellowship (for UK candidates)
• Overseas Fellowships (for international candidates)
• Application method: Annual competition via online portal

Priority Areas

• Chemical sciences research
• Inorganic and general chemistry
• Original and independent research projects
• Supporting early-career researchers
• Promoting diversity in chemistry (particularly welcoming applications from under-represented groups)

What They Don't Fund

• Non-chemistry research
• Undergraduate studies
• Established researchers
• Non-university based research

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees working in conjunction with an Advisory Council consisting of UK university chemistry professors. The Advisory Council plays a key role in nominating candidates, with final awards determined by the Ramsay Trustees and Advisory Council together.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online application form during the designated application period. Candidates must be nominated by members of the Advisory Council (UK university chemistry professors). The application requires completion of a comprehensive form detailing the proposed research project and the candidate's qualifications.

Decision Timeline

Annual award cycle with decisions typically made following the application deadline. Specific timeline details are announced during each application cycle.

Success Rates

Highly competitive fellowship program, though specific success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Interested candidates should contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and eligibility criteria:

• Strong academic record with distinction in chemical sciences
• Clear, innovative, and original research proposal
• Alignment with inorganic and general chemistry focus areas
• PhD thesis must be submitted by December 31st following the application deadline
• Support and nomination from UK university chemistry department
• Applications from under-represented groups are particularly encouraged

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Fellowships are specifically for postdoctoral researchers in chemical sciences
• Strong emphasis on original and independent research
• Requires nomination by UK university chemistry professors on the Advisory Council
• PhD must be completed or near completion (thesis submitted by year-end)
• Focus area is inorganic and general chemistry
• Trust actively encourages applications from under-represented groups
• Long-established program with prestigious alumni network

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Race Against Dementia
• John Innes Foundation
• The Armourers and Brasiers' Gauntlet Trust
• Salters' Charitable Foundation
• Against Breast Cancer Limited
• Brain Research UK
• Pharmacy Research UK
• The British Mass Spectrometry Society
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Westminster Medical School Research Trust

References

• Society of Chemical Industry - Ramsay Fellowship page: https://www.soci.org/awards/scholarships-and-fellowships/ramsay-fellowship
• Charity Commission records for charity number 313811