Are you an early career researcher with a groundbreaking engineering idea? Are you looking for a career development opportunity in a supportive research community that will help unlock your research and leadership potential? Then a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship based at the University of Bath could be for you!

Each year, the Academy provides Research Fellowships (RAEng RFs) to promising early career researchers, assisting them in becoming future leaders and ambassadors in engineering. The scheme's objectives are:

  • supporting the best early career researchers in establishing their independence and international reputation
  • providing long-term support enabling the pursuit of an ambitious programme of engineering research and impact
  • developing ambassadors for RAEng and advocates for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines

Professor Chris Bowen, Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath, says:

The University of Bath provides a supportive and innovative environment for completing your Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship. 92% of our research is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Join our thriving research community committed to gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all.

Who can apply

RAEng welcomes applications from all early career researchers worldwide who have been awarded their PhD in the last four years working within RAEng’s subject remit. Eligible applicants from the following groups that are currently significantly under-represented in UK engineering research are encouraged to apply:

  • women
  • black people, including those with any mixed ethnicity with Black ethnic background(s)
  • disabled people

More information on eligibility can be found in the RAEng Scheme Guidance (2024). We expect the 2025 guidance to be published in the Spring.

Applicants wanting to base their fellowship at Bath can either be already based at the university or can be from outside of the university.

How to apply

To apply for an RAEng Research Fellowship, you will first need to secure support from the University of Bath to host your fellowship. RAEng restricts host organisations to a maximum of four RF applications annually. Therefore, we hold an annual selection process to identify up to four candidates who will develop and submit high-quality funding RF applications to RAEng in the Autumn.

Please complete our RAEng RF Expression of Interest (EoI) form to register your interest in participating in our 2025 RAEng RF candidate selection process. You will need to submit a Project Summary and CV so please allow plenty of time to complete your application.

Before you submit your EoI we recommend doing the following:

  • read the RAEng RF scheme guidance to get a feel for what this scheme funds and if you are eligible to apply
  • find out more about what Bath can offer you by visiting the University of Bath webpages
  • talk to the HoD of your desired department about your fellowship idea (check if your application is competitive and if the HoD is willing to host your RAEng fellowship if your application is successful)
  • consider whether you have the time to prepare a full RAEng RF application if you are selected to be one of Bath’s candidates (the main application form writing phase is from March to September)

The completed EoI and a copy of your CV must be submitted by 1pm on 12 February 2025. Any applications submitted after this time/date will not be accepted.

If your EoI is successful, you will be asked to deliver a short pitch on your fellowship idea to a panel of academics from Bath. If your pitch succeeds, you'll work on a funding application with support from mentors, peer reviewers, and colleagues from our Research and Innovation team.

If you're unsure who your relevant Head of Department is or would like to chat more about your project, feel free to reach out to us at resdev@bath.ac.uk. We're happy to connect you with the right person.

Candidate Selection criteria

  • candidate track record and leadership/ambassador potential
  • research idea, novelty and timeliness
  • fit with Bath University and Faculty research strengths

Selected candidates must pass interim and final peer reviews before submitting their application to RAEng to ensure proposal quality.

Key dates

The deadline for submission of EoIs is 1pm on 12 February 2025.

Applicant pitches are likely to take place in March. After the pitches, applicants will be notified promptly if they are chosen as one of Bath's 2025 RAEng RF candidates. They will then receive support from a mentor and Research & Innovation Services to develop their fellowship application.

The RAEng RF formal application submission deadline is to be confirmed but based on previous years it is likely to be in mid-September 2025.

Further information

Need clarification on the scheme or internal selection process? Reach out to Process Lead Dr Lotta Croft, Research Development Manager for the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath. Email: resdev@bath.ac.uk.