Royal Commission For The Exhibition Of 1851

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £5,000,000 (approximately)
• Success Rate: 2.5% (for Research Fellowships: ~9 awards from ~350 applications)
• Decision Time: 3-6 months (varies by program)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £100,000
• Geographic Focus: UK (research must be conducted at UK institutions)
• Awards Annually: Approximately 35 fellowships and scholarships

Contact Details

Website: www.royalcommission1851.org.uk

Email: royalcom1851@imperial.ac.uk

Phone: 020 7594 8790

Application Portal: https://1851awards.flexigrant.com/

Overview

Founded in 1850 to administer the Great Exhibition, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (Charity No. 206123) has been awarding fellowships and scholarships since 1891. With total funds exceeding £143 million and annual charitable giving of approximately £5 million, the Commission supports around 140 individuals annually. Its mission remains “increasing the means of industrial education and extending the influence of science and art upon productive industry.” The Commission focuses exclusively on supporting exceptional early-career researchers and practitioners in science, engineering, design, and the built environment. With an illustrious legacy including 13 Nobel Laureates among former fellows, the Commission maintains a prestigious alumni network of nearly 900 members. Current leadership includes President HRH The Princess Royal and Chairman Professor Lord Kakkar KG KBE PC FMedSci.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Fellowships (£30,000-£40,000 per year for 3 years)

• Three-year research scholarships for approximately 8-9 early-career scientists or engineers of exceptional promise
• Full payroll costs covered plus £10,000 per annum research expenses
• Applications open in October, deadline in January annually
• Open to all nationalities conducting research at UK institutions

Industrial Fellowships (up to £80,000 over 3 years)

• Approximately 8 awards annually for first-degree graduates in engineering, science, or medicine
• Funding includes 50% of fellow's salary (up to £25,000 PA), university fees, £2,000 PA stipend enhancement, up to £15,000 PA for research expenses, and up to £3,500 PA travel costs
• Applications due early February
• For UK University EngD/industrial doctorate programmes

Industrial Design Studentships (£12,000-£16,000 per year)

• One or two-year awards with stipend of £12,000 PA (plus £4,000 London weighting), all tuition fees, £500 PA travel allowance, and £850 PA materials allowance
• For UK residents pursuing careers in British industry

Fellowship in Design and the Built Environment (£100,000 total)

• One award made in alternate years
• Grant paid in five instalments: £22,500 at commencement, after 6, 12, and 18 months, with final £10,000 on completion
• For design professionals with practical impact projects

RAEng 1851 Enterprise Fellowships (£50,000)

• Graduate programme for innovative, entrepreneurial graduate engineers
• Includes 12 months expert mentoring, training, and lifetime Enterprise Hub membership

Technical Teaching Fellowships (£5,000-£15,000)

• Recognizes excellence in technical (STEM) teaching across the UK
• Supports knowledge transfer and guarantees remission time
• Open to all ESFA-funded providers across the Four Nations

Special Awards (Variable)

• Limited number of awards to worthy causes and individuals aligned with the Commission's charter
• Range from substantial project support to individual travel and study awards

Priority Areas

• Applied science and engineering (particularly encouraged for Research Fellowships)
• Industry-academia collaboration
• Innovation with commercial potential (patents, products, or processes)
• Design with tangible outputs and practical impact
• Technical education excellence
• Early-career researcher independence and development
• Projects contributing to UK industrial competitiveness

What They Don't Fund

• Routine laboratory consumables (Industrial Fellowships)
• Institutional overhead costs (Research Fellowships)
• Repeat applications for the same project from previously unsuccessful applicants
• Research conducted at the same institution where the PhD was undertaken (without justification)
• Researchers with more than 3 years postdoctoral experience (without justification)
• Projects outside science, engineering, design, and built environment
• Undergraduate studies

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Governance and Leadership

President: HRH The Princess Royal (elected following the late Duke of Kent)

Chairman: Professor Lord Kakkar KG KBE PC FMedSci

The Commission operates under its Royal Charter to “increase the means of industrial education” and maintains a Board of Commissioners who make final selections for fellowships. The organization emphasizes supporting “scientists or engineers of exceptional promise” and seeks candidates who demonstrate research momentum, independence, and potential for significant contribution to their fields.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal: All applications submitted via FlexiGrant system at https://1851awards.flexigrant.com/

Application Requirements:

• Two references required (neither from the host institution for Research Fellowships)
• Normally at least one reference from a UK institution
• Two-page research proposal (approximately 750 words) for Research Fellowships
• No budgets or costings required at initial application stage
• Clear justification required if staying at current/PhD institution or if >3 years postdoc experience

Application Methods: Fixed annual deadlines for most programs

Key Deadlines:

• Research Fellowships: January (applications open October)
• Industrial Fellowships: Early February

Decision Timeline

Multi-stage Process:

1. Initial application submission
2. Shortlisting review (candidates notified by email)
3. Shortlisted applicants asked for amplified project proposals
4. Final interviews for certain fellowships (e.g., Built Environment)
5. Final selection by Commissioners

Typical Timeline: 3-6 months from submission to decision, with fellowships typically commencing in October

Notification: All candidates informed by email regarding shortlisting status

Success Rates

Research Fellowships: Approximately 2.5% success rate

• Around 350 applications received annually
• 8-9 awards made per year

Overall Programme: Approximately 35 fellowships and scholarships awarded annually from significantly larger applicant pool, making all programmes highly competitive

Total Supported: 140 individuals supported across all programmes in 2023

Reapplication Policy

Critical Restriction: Repeat applications for the same project from previously unsuccessful applicants will NOT be accepted. Applicants must propose a genuinely different research project if reapplying.

Feedback: The Commission is unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Selection Criteria

The Commission assesses applications based on:

• Applicant track record relative to career stage
• Research momentum, independence and potential
• Novelty, timeliness and feasibility of the proposed project
• Fit with host environment
• Alignment with Royal Commission aims (industrial education, science and art upon productive industry)

For Design/Built Environment Fellowships

The Committee specifically looks for:

• Tangible outputs with practical impact
• Clear dissemination plans
• Potential to feed into policy

Standing Out

Applied Focus: “Candidates proposing projects in applied science and engineering are particularly encouraged to apply” - this reflects the Commission's charter focus on industrial application

Industry Connection: For Industrial Fellowships, demonstrate “clear tangible benefit to the company sponsoring their project”

Independence: Research Fellowships seek candidates who can demonstrate they are “entering their first or second post-doctoral positions” and show genuine research independence

Innovation: Enterprise Fellowships specifically seek “innovative, creative entrepreneurial graduate engineers who have demonstrated an exceptional innovation in engineering”

Projects Recently Funded

• SouthKenZen+ collaborative initiative to accelerate transition to zero emissions (Special Award)
• Six entrepreneurs supported through Enterprise Programme in partnership with Royal Academy of Engineering
• EngD candidates conducting in-depth industrial research enabled by enhanced funding
• Technical teaching innovations across ESFA-funded providers in all Four Nations

Key Success Indicators

Institutional Movement: Fellows must normally move to a different institution from both their PhD and current host - this demonstrates independence and prevents “staying put”

Two-Page Clarity: Research proposals limited to approximately 750 words over two A4 pages - clarity and conciseness are valued

Strong References: Two references required, with at least one typically from a UK institution

Career Stage Appropriateness: Early-career focus is absolute - applicants beyond the specified experience levels need compelling justification

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Exceptional Competition: With success rates around 2-3% for Research Fellowships, applications must demonstrate genuine excellence and innovation - this is one of the most competitive UK fellowships

• Applied Science Priority: The Commission's charter explicitly focuses on industrial education and the influence of science on productive industry - frame research in terms of practical application and impact

• Career Stage Critical: Strictly enforced limits on postdoctoral experience (≤3 years) and strong preference for institutional movement - don't apply if you don't meet these criteria without excellent justification

• No Second Chances for Same Project: You cannot reapply with the same research proposal if unsuccessful - ensure your first submission is your strongest, or plan a genuinely different project for reapplication

• No Feedback Given: With no feedback on unsuccessful applications, consider having proposals reviewed by previous fellows or institutional research offices before submission

• Legacy and Prestige Matter: With 13 Nobel Laureates among alumni, the Commission seeks candidates with potential for field-leading careers - articulate long-term vision and ambition

• Industry Connection Essential: For Industrial Fellowships and Design programmes, demonstrable links to industry and practical outcomes are mandatory - pure academic research is better suited to Research Fellowships

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• The Mohn Westlake Foundation
• The Clore Duffield Foundation
• OGLESBY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
• THE CADOGAN CHARITY
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• THE ULYSSES TRUST
• THE JAMES WEIR FOUNDATION
• THE LORD FARINGDON CHARITABLE TRUST
• OLIVER FORD FOUNDATION
• SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES
• GET OUT
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• THE COOPER CHARITABLE TRUST
• HELP FUND

References

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Official Website - https://royalcommission1851.org/

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Research Fellowships Frequently Asked Questions - https://royalcommission1851.org/research-fellowships-frequently-asked-questions

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities - Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Charity Number 206123 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=206123

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Research Fellowships Terms and Conditions 2025 - https://royalcommission1851.org/uploads/Research-Fellowships-TCs-2025.pdf

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Industrial Fellowship 2025 Terms and Conditions - https://royalcommission1851.org/uploads/Industrial-Fellowship-2025-TCs.pdf

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Built Environment Fellowship 2025 Terms and Conditions - https://royalcommission1851.org/uploads/2025-Built-Environment-Fellowship-TCs-Final.pdf

1. Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Annual Report and Accounts 2023 - https://royalcommission1851.org/uploads/publications/2023-Annual-Report-Accounts.pdf

1. Wikipedia - Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission_for_the_Exhibition_of_1851

1. Wikipedia - 1851 Research Fellowship - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1851_Research_Fellowship

1. University of Oxford Department of Physics - Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellowships - https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/research-funding-support/fellowship-applications/postdoctoral-level-fellowships/royal

1. Education and Training Foundation - Technical Teaching Fellowship Programme - https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/professional-development/technical-education/technical-teaching-fellowship-ttf-programme/