Senior Research Fellowship

Senior Research Fellowship

Funds senior dementia researchers transitioning to independent group leadership to strengthen real-world implementation.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

Alzheimer's Research UK's Senior Research Fellowship is a personal award designed to support PhD-qualified researchers at the critical career stage when they are ready to lead an independent dementia research group for the first time. The fellowship targets scientists with a strong record of original, productive research and clear evidence of progression toward independence, but who do not yet hold tenure or a tenure-track position. Each award is hosted at a UK academic institution and requires a senior Sponsor at that institution to attest to the applicant's readiness and the host's commitment.

The fellowship provides up to £420,000 over four years, covering the fellow's salary, consumables, and directly incurred project costs. A one-year extension worth up to £120,000 is available for fellows who demonstrate outstanding progress. The historical success rate has run at approximately 20 percent — seven fellowships funded from 35 applications across three consecutive annual rounds — making it a genuinely competitive but achievable target for strong researchers. For-profit organisations are not eligible; the award is restricted to individuals based at UK universities or recognised research organisations.

Applications are reviewed in an annual cycle managed by ARUK's grants team and assessed by a specialist scientific committee. Reviewers look for scientific excellence, a coherent independent research vision in dementia, and evidence that the host environment will enable genuine independence rather than continuation of supervisory work. Candidates must demonstrate diverse collaborations beyond past supervisor relationships. Organisations advising potential applicants should focus application development on the independence narrative, the specific dementia question being addressed, and the host institution's ability to provide protected research time and appropriate infrastructure.