The Royal Society Of London For Improving Natural Knowledge

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £110.2 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not published (varies by scheme)
• Decision Time: 3-6 months (varies by scheme)
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £1.87 million
• Geographic Focus: UK and international (scheme dependent)

Contact Details

Website: www.royalsociety.org

Email: info@royalsociety.org

Phone: +44 207 451 2500

Grants Portal: https://grants.royalsociety.org/

Research Grants Team: researchgrants@royalsociety.org

Overview

The Royal Society, founded in 1660, is the UK's national academy of sciences and one of the world's oldest scientific institutions. With an annual grant expenditure of £110.2 million (2024), the Society supports over 800 researchers and their teams through various funding schemes. The organization operates as both a learned society and major research funder, promoting scientific excellence through fellowships, research grants, and partnership programs. Under current President Sir Adrian Smith (until December 2025, succeeded by Nobel laureate Paul Nurse), the Society maintains its commitment to supporting scientific discovery while addressing global challenges including climate change and emerging technologies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Research Grants: £3,000 - £30,000 (up to 12 months for early-career researchers)
• University Research Fellowship: Up to £1.87 million over 8 years
• Career Development Fellowship: Up to £690,000 over 4 years
• Newton International Fellowship: Up to £280,000 over 2 years
• Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship: 5 years funding, extendable to 8 years
• Partnership Grants: Up to £3,000 for UK schools and colleges

Priority Areas

• Biological research
• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics
• History of science (selected funding)
• STEM education in schools and colleges
• International scientific collaboration

What They Don't Fund

• Undergraduate, Masters, or PhD student applications (funding is for postdoctoral level and above)
• Research outside natural sciences remit
• Non-independent researchers without lab access

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Governance and Leadership

Current President: Sir Adrian Smith (until December 2025)

President-Elect: Sir Paul Nurse (from December 2025)

Council: 20-24 Fellows including officers and sectional representatives

Sir Adrian Smith emphasized balanced funding priorities: “As we increase our investment in science, we must ensure that it is based on excellence and balanced priorities. Public investment involves a social compact – that scientists help solve pressing problems that face the country. However, it would be a mistake to short change our future by focusing too much on immediate applications at the expense of longer-term fundamental science.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Online Portal: Flexi-Grant system (https://grants.royalsociety.org/)
• Registration: Immediate account creation, no institutional approval required
• Support Required: Head of Department consent and referee statements

Decision Timeline

• Assessment Period: 3-6 months depending on scheme
• Process: Minimum two expert panel reviews, then shortlisting and final recommendations
• Notification: Via Flexi-Grant portal

Success Rates

The Royal Society does not regularly publish comprehensive success rate statistics, citing variability in funding availability and application quality. Limited data shows success rates vary significantly by scheme and year, with some schemes showing rates as low as 4.6% and others considerably higher.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly detailed and may vary by scheme. Applicants should consult individual scheme guidelines or contact the grants team for specific information about reapplication after rejection.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

• Research must be within natural sciences remit
• Emphasis on scientific excellence and potential for discovery
• Consideration of both immediate applications and fundamental science value
• Alignment with diversity and inclusion priorities

Process Tips:

• Submit applications well before deadlines (at least 5 working days early recommended)
• Ensure all third-party statements are submitted before deadline
• Register early for Flexi-Grant system
• Consult updated scheme pages before each application round

Recent Awards Examples:

• 71 exceptional researchers awarded over £75 million across flagship early career schemes (2024)
• 33 University Research Fellowship recipients across 18 UK and Irish universities
• Focus on supporting researchers from underrepresented groups through new Career Development Fellowships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Excellence is paramount: The Society funds based on scientific excellence first, with balanced consideration of fundamental and applied research
• Early career focus: Many schemes specifically target researchers within first five years of permanent positions
• Independence required: Must demonstrate ability to lead independent research with own lab space
• International perspective valued: Strong emphasis on global collaboration and attracting international talent
• System familiarity essential: Use Flexi-Grant system effectively and ensure all supporting documents are submitted on time
• Diversity encouraged: Active commitment to supporting underrepresented groups in science
• Long-term thinking: Balance immediate impact with potential for fundamental discovery

References

1. Royal Society Grants Homepage - https://royalsociety.org/grants/
2. Royal Society Application Dates - https://royalsociety.org/grants/application-dates/
3. Royal Society Research Grants - https://royalsociety.org/grants/research-grants/
4. Royal Society Trustees' Report and Financial Statements 2023-2024
5. Royal Society News: “Outstanding researchers awarded early career fellowships worth more than £75 million” - October 2024
6. Royal Society Application and Assessment Process - https://royalsociety.org/grants/applications/
7. Times Higher Education: “Success rate for women on Royal Society fellowship tumbles”
8. Royal Society News: “Paul Nurse elected as next President of the Royal Society” - October 2024