UK St John’s College, Cambridge Research Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded) Deadline: 23 September, 2025

UK St John’s College, Cambridge Research Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)St John’s College, Cambridge has officially launched applications for its Research Fellowship Competition 2026, offering up to four prestigious fellowships for outstanding early-career researchers. These awards are among the most competitive in the academic world, providing young scholars with the time, funding, and environment to pursue independent, groundbreaking research at the University of Cambridge.

Degree Level

 

• Applicants must be PhD candidates (in the final stages of their doctoral studies) OR
• Holders of a recently awarded PhD (submitted after 1 October 2024)

 

Available Subjects

For 2026, St John’s College welcomes applications in all STEM fields, as well as the following arts and humanities disciplines:

• Anthropology

• Architecture

• Modern & Medieval Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese)

• Classics

• Education

• History

• History and Philosophy of Science

• History of Art

• Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion

• Land Economy

• Philosophy

Benefits

 

The Research Fellowships at St John’s College, Cambridge are designed for early-career academics who have recently completed, or are close to completing, their PhD. Fellows join a vibrant and interdisciplinary intellectual community that has produced world-renowned academics, including Nobel Prize winners, leading scientists, and pioneering humanities scholars.

 

• Award-holders are elected to a four-year Research Fellowship, receiving:

  • A starting annual stipend of £33,482 (with yearly increases)

  • Up to £10,000 in research grants for travel, conferences, and academic resources

  • A housing allowance of up to £35,760 over four years (if living outside College)

  • Free dining privileges with one daily meal in College

  • The opportunity to live in College accommodation or access an office in Cambridge

  In addition, Research Fellows may undertake up to six hours of teaching per week, providing valuable academic experience alongside independent research.

Eligible Nationalities

 

Open to applicants of all nationalities – graduates of any university worldwide may apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are open to graduates from any university worldwide. To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have submitted their PhD after 1 October 2024, OR

• Be on track to submit their PhD by 1 October 2026

Applicants already holding a Cambridge College Fellowship are not eligible. Candidates who accept another Cambridge Fellowship will automatically withdraw from this competition.

Application Procedure

The application window runs from 30 July to 18 September 2025. Candidates must submit their application online by 2pm BST, 18 September 2025.

• Applicants must arrange for three academic references, which must be submitted by 2pm BST, 23 September 2025.

• The selection process is based solely on the written application, research achievements, and submitted work. No interviews are conducted.

• The competition is highly competitive, with approximately 900 applications each year.

Why Apply for the St John’s College Research Fellowship?

This Fellowship is not just financial support—it is a career-defining opportunity. Research Fellows are encouraged to:

• Devote themselves fully to research in a stimulating environment

• Gain visibility in their fields through lectures, publications, and outreach

• Build interdisciplinary networks at Cambridge and beyond

• Prepare for long-term academic success with the College’s backing

Important Dates

• Applications Open: 30 July 2025

• Application Deadline: 18 September 2025 (2pm BST)

• Reference Deadline: 23 September 2025 (2pm BST)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY