Newton Advanced Fellowships are now available through the Newton Fund, which is part of the UK’s official development assistance. Its aim is to develop science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
Exchange
Newton Advanced Fellowships provide established international researchers with an opportunity to develop the research strengths and capabilities of their research group through training, collaboration and reciprocal visits with a partner in the UK.
The skills and knowledge gained should lead to changes in the wellbeing of communities and increased economic benefits.
This award is currently available to international early career group leaders to develop their research by linking them with some of the best research groups in the UK. The aim is to:
Support the development of a well-trained research community who can contribute to poverty alleviation by transferring new skills and creating new knowledge which can lead to changes in the wellbeing of communities and increased economic benefits.

Strengthen research excellence in partner countries by supporting promising independent, early-career scientists and their research groups and networks to develop their research through training, collaboration, reciprocal visits and the transfer of knowledge and skills from the UK.
Establish long-term links between the best research groups (and networks) in partner countries and the UK to ensure that improvements in research capacity are sustainable in the longer term. Such long-term links will also benefit the UK, securing our position with partner countries as the scientific partner of choice
This scheme is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as part of the Newton Fund.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent research experience and hold a permanent or fixed-term contract in an eligible university or research institute, which must span the duration of the project. Applicants should have no more than 15 years of postdoctoral experience. Collaborations should focus on a single project involving overseas-based scientist (“the Applicant”) and UK-based scientist (“the Co-applicant”).
Awards are currently only available for scientists in the following countries:
China (in partnership with The Chinese Academy of Science and The National Natural Science Foundation China)
Brazil (in partnership with The Brazilian Council of State Funding Agencies)
South Africa (in partnership with the National Research Foundation)
Mexico (subject to confirmation of an agreement with the Mexican Academy of Sciences and the National Council of Science and Technology – CONACyT)
Turkey (subject to confirmation of an agreement with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey – TUBITAK)
Value and tenure
Awards last for up to three years and are available to support researchers across the natural sciences, including clinical or patient-oriented research. Up to £37,000 is available each year, guidelines for use as follows:
A salary top up (maximum £5,000) for the group leader from the partner country.
Research support (maximum £15,000) to cover costs for studentships, staff, consumables or equipment.
Travel and subsistence (maximum £12,000) to cover travel costs of the UK partner to the international partner and/or travel of the international partner to the UK.
Training (maximum £5,000) to support the career development of the applicant and their research group or network.
Application process
Applications can only be submitted online using the Royal Society’s electronic Grant Application and Processing (e-GAP) system.
Applications will be assessed by the Newton Advanced Fellowships Panel and decisions made in January 2015.