The Royal Society is the UK's national academy of sciences, dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in science. It funds and supports research across the natural sciences, helping scientists build careers and collaborate across sectors.
About the Short Industry Fellowship
The Short Industry Fellowship is part of the Royal Society's Industry programme and is designed to facilitate short-term mobility between academia and industry. The scheme enables a scientist employed in academia or industry, and/or their postdoctoral researcher, to work collaboratively with an organisation in the other sector.
Rather than supporting a purely academic research project, the fellowship is structured around a mutually beneficial collaborative project involving mobility between a UK-based private industry organisation and a UK university or not-for-profit research organisation.
Why You Should Apply
Benefit
Description
Build Partnerships
Strengthen academia-industry links
Career Development
Gain experience in another sector
Knowledge Exchange
Transfer knowledge between sectors
Long-Term Opportunities
Create future collaboration opportunities
Flexible Arrangements
Full-time or part-time options
Salary Support
Basic salary during secondment
Research Expenses
Up to £1,000 for project costs
What Does the Fellowship Fund?
Funding Component
Details
Basic Salary
Applicant's and/or postdoctoral researcher's basic salary during secondment
NI and Pension
Paid by employing organisation
Research Expenses
Up to £1,000
Duration
Full-time: 3-6 months OR 50% part-time: up to 12 months
Key Benefits of the Short Industry Fellowship
1. Build Academia–Industry Partnerships
Benefit
Description
Collaborative Relationships
Establish and strengthen links
Long-Term Partnerships
Potential for joint research projects
Future Funding
Opportunities for additional funding
2. Develop Your Career
Benefit
Description
Cross-Sector Experience
Gain insight into industrial or academic research
Applied Innovation
Understand commercialisation
Career Growth
Valuable professional experience
3. Strengthen Knowledge Exchange
Benefit
Description
Move Research
From laboratories to practical applications
Industry Challenges
Inform future research
Scientific Knowledge
Transfer between sectors
4. Create Longer-Term Opportunities
Benefit
Description
Partnerships
Develop professional networks
Funding
Seek additional funding
Collaborations
Sustainable relationships
Who Is the Fellowship For?
Criteria
Requirements
Location
UK-based researchers
Sector
Academia or industry
Career Stage
Especially early-career researchers
Disciplines
Natural sciences
Collaboration
Must involve UK private industry + UK university/not-for-profit research organisation
Funded research secondment between UK academia and industry.
Q2. What is the duration?
3-6 months (full-time) or up to 12 months (50% part-time).
Q3. What does it fund?
Basic salary + Research expenses up to £1,000.
Q4. Who can apply?
UK-based researchers in academia or industry, especially early-career.
Q5. Are early-stage companies encouraged?
Yes.
Q6. What are the benefits?
Build partnerships, career development, knowledge exchange.
Q7. What is the deadline?
7 October 2026.
Q8. How to apply?
Through Royal Society's Flexi-Grant platform.
Q9. Is part-time possible?
Yes, 50% for up to 12 months.
Q10. What fields are covered?
Natural sciences.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for UK-based researchers to bridge the gap between academic research and industry. With flexible full-time or part-time arrangements, the fellowship supports career development, knowledge exchange, and the establishment of long-term partnerships.
The emphasis on early-career researchers and early-stage companies makes this particularly valuable for scientists looking to apply their research in commercial contexts or develop their professional networks across sectors.
Best Opportunity For
Category
Suitable
Early-Career Researchers
Yes
Academic Researchers
Yes
Industry Researchers
Yes
Natural Scientists
Yes
STEM Researchers
Yes
UK-Based Researchers
Yes
Postdoctoral Researchers
Yes
Competition Level
Category
Level
Overall Competition
High
Selection Difficulty
Competitive
Application Complexity
Medium
CareerFlora Recommendation
Area
Details
Fellowship Value
Excellent
Career Growth
Very High
Application Difficulty
Medium
Apply Early
Recommended
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship 2026 before 7 October 2026.
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