FAQs

How does the Fellowship work?
The company and the candidate identify an area of research that might lead to a new process, product or generate IP, and identify a university research partner, where the PhD will be undertaken. Projects in any science or engineering discipline will be considered.

Who can apply?
The applicant must have a good first degree in engineering, science, medicine or design. It is unlikely that those already having substantial post-graduate qualifications will be accepted. The candidate should be looking to pursue a PhD whilst continuing to work in industry. The Fellowships offer graduates the opportunity to develop their subject matter expertise while gaining valuable experience in a commercial research and development environment.

What does the Fellowship fund?
The Commission covers 50% of the Fellow's salary (up to £30,000), all university fees and provides a generous travel allowance of £3,500.

How long is the Fellowship?
The duration of the Fellowship is three years. Part-time applications are accepted and would run for up to five years.

When do applications open? When is the deadline?
Applications are currently open.

What is the application process?
Applicants will be informed if they have been selected for interview in early March 2026 with interviews scheduled for late March 2026.

When do the Fellowships begin?
Fellowships will commence in October 2026.

Is this an annual call?
Yes, the Industrial Fellowships have been running annually since 1990.

Can I reapply?
Yes, applicants are free to apply in subsequent years.

Does the company need to be based in the UK?
The collaboration must be with a UK based company/office.

Can I apply with an offer of employment from a suitable company or do I need to be employed already?
Yes, you may apply with an offer of employment from a suitable industry partner.

The Application Form

Applications should be made by the proposed Industrial Fellow. Industrial Fellowship applications are to be submitted via the Commission’s application portal system, Flexigrant. Applicants will need to create a Flexigrant account in the first instance.

Flexigrant Application Portal

After logging into the Flexigrant system, applicants should select the 1851 Industrial Fellowships 2023 application form. The application form has eight parts:

Personal Details

  • including details of industrial supervisor, academic supervisor, CDT or CASE

Curriculum Vitae

  • qualifications, prizes/honours, employment history, career breaks, interests

Lay Description of Research

  • project title (up to 15 words), summary (up to 50 words) and lay description (up to 400 words)
  • The lay description should be written in terms that will be understood by a non-specialist, and should provide an overview of the proposed research of its objectives, originality and anticipated impact.
  • Statement for Case/CDT candidates indicating plans for linking with sponsoring company (up to 200 words)
  • Personal profile (up to 200 words)

Outline of Proposed Research

  • To be supplied in PDF. There is no limit on length.
  • The outline should include milestones and deliverables and show the balance of research and company activity. CDT/Case candidates must demonstrate a clear tangible benefit to the company sponsoring their project as well as the individual.
  • For Case/CDT, an additional funding proposal to be supplied in PDF.

Letter of Endorsement

  • Supplied as PDF and including endorsement from industrial supervisor, academic supervisor, and a letter of nomination from CDT if applicable.

Profiles

  • Company profile and CDT profile if applicable, and supplied as PDF