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APEX Awards
The 2026 round will open on 24 June 2025 and will close on 9 September 2025.
Please note that the timeline for the APEX Awards has changed and calls will now run earlier in the year than was previously the case. This change has been implemented to ensure greater flexibility in the administration of the scheme and provide adequate time for award holders and their host institutions to appoint replacement teaching staff prior to the commencement of the award.
About the scheme
The objectives of this scheme are to:
- promote collaboration across disciplines, with a particular emphasis on the boundary between science, engineering and the social sciences and humanities
- support outstanding interdisciplinary research which is unlikely to be supported through conventional funding programmes
- support researchers with an outstanding track record, in developing their research in a new direction through collaboration with partners from other disciplines
- enable outstanding researchers to focus on advancing their innovative research through seed funding
The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of the grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per assessment criteria.
See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.
What does the scheme offer?
Applicants will now be able to apply for up to £200,000 to support their interdisciplinary projects.
‘Staff Costs’ can now include funds to support research assistants, undergraduate/Master’s students and PhD students in addition to teaching replacement.
Funding (up to £10,000) to support public engagement activities can now be included within the main application.
AI Based Application Success Predictor
🎯 1. Outstanding Scientific Excellence & Fit
Proposals must align strictly with the Royal Society’s remit—natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics)
They prioritize high‐quality, discovery-led research, whether early-career fellowships or grants for seasoned researchers .
🧩 2. Choose the Right Scheme & Read Scheme Notes Carefully
The Society offers a wide spectrum of fellowships and grants—e.g., Research Grants for newer independent investigators, Fellowships for career-stage progression, and International Collaboration Awards .
Each scheme has tailored eligibility, objectives, and documentation requirements. Reading the scheme notes fully is essential to avoid administrative triage .
🏛 3. Host Engagement & Institutional Support
Early consultation with your host department or institution is required. For fellowships, clear support must be demonstrated—e.g., lab space, mentorship, training, and potential proleptic academic appointments .
🧪 4. Career Stage Alignment
Research Grants (€30 K, 12 months) are designed for newly appointed PIs (≤5 years) or academics returning to research .
Newton International Fellowships support outstanding early-career non-UK researchers to build independent careers in the UK.
International Collaboration Awards facilitate building UK-led international partnerships for newly independent researchers.
✅ 5. Robust Application Process
Applicants must:
Use the Flexi-Grant portal
Ensure host institution and referees submit required approvals by the deadline
Follow costing policies and adhere to formatting and document guidelines k.
Late or incomplete applications are automatically rejected .
🧑🔬 6. Merit-Based, EDI-Promoting Review
Applications undergo peer review by expert panels. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral, with reviewers trained to mitigate bias.
All proposals are assessed on excellence, inclusivity, flexibility, openness, and fairness.
⚙️ 7. Excellence in Panel Deliberation & Tie-Breaking
For high-demand schemes, panels first shortlist strong applications, then Chairs make final funding recommendations .
Schemes sometimes employ lottery tie-breakers for equally-ranked proposals .
🎯 8. Emphasis on Planning & Public Engagement
Applicants should include clear planning for mentoring, public or outreach engagement, and optional international collaboration
🧭 Summary Table
| Success Factor | What to Demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Scientific excellence | Innovative, rigorous research aligned with remit |
| Scheme fit | Choose correct scheme; follow notes strictly |
| Host backing | Secure lab space, mentorship, institutional sign-off |
| Career stage appropriateness | Be eligible for scheme (e.g., early-career PI) |
| Complete & compliant applications | Use Flexi-Grant; include all documents |
| EDI commitment | Showcase diverse perspectives and bias-mitigated process |
| Peer review readiness | Well-written, methodologically sound proposal |
| Tie-breaker readiness | Be clearly fundable to benefit from lottery if needed |
🔧 Practical Tips
Start early—discuss with your host and support office before applying.
Draft meticulously, keeping scope realistic and your CV focused.
Include training and outreach—funders value broader engagement.
Seek feedback before submission; peer review can find critical issues early.
Understand the scoring process, and aim to be one of the top-rated applications.
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
This scheme is for you if:
- You are a researcher with a strong track record as an established independent researcher (this can include engineering researchers, humanities and social sciences scholars and scientists)
- You are based at a UK university or not-for-profit research institution for at least the duration of the project
- The research in your application spans the remit of more than one of the Academies. Applications which are within the remit of just one Academy will not be permitted. Please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.
Applicants will be expected to collaborate with a research partner (co-applicant) from a different discipline from their own or a different university in the UK.
Read the scheme notes for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
Eligible Countries:
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: The Royal Society
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG
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Grant, Award
Final Deadline:
Sep 09, 2025
Funding Amount:
$274,811
Host Details
Affiliation: The Royal Society
Address: 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG
Website URL: https://royalsociety.org/grants/apex-awards/
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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