If you have recently completed your PhD and want to build an independent research career, the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2027 at the University of Cambridge is an opportunity worth considering. This prestigious fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers who are ready to lead original research at one of the world’s top universities. Hosted through the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH), the programme offers a competitive salary, expert mentorship, and access to Cambridge’s internationally recognised research community. If you are aiming to strengthen your academic profile while working on innovative research, now is the time to start preparing your application.

What This Opportunity Offers

The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship is to help promising researchers take the next step in their academic careers. As a fellow, you will be employed by the University of Cambridge while carrying out your own independent research with guidance from experienced academics. The fellowship offers a starting salary that is normally Scale Point 41 (£37,174 per year), with annual salary progression during the award. Beyond financial support, you will benefit from mentoring, collaboration, and access to Cambridge’s world-class research environment. Applicants through CRASSH may be hosted by leading research centres such as the Centre for Geopolitics, Cambridge Digital Humanities, or the Centre for Pandemic Risk Management, providing an excellent platform to develop an independent academic career.

Applicants applying through the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) can be hosted by one of the participating research centres, including:

• Centre for Geopolitics
• Cambridge Digital Humanities
• Centre for Pandemic Risk Management

Who Can Apply for Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2027?

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship 2027 at Cambridge University is open to outstanding early-career researchers who are ready to begin independent academic research. You should complete your doctorate before the fellowship starts and submit your doctoral thesis for viva before the Leverhulme Trust deadline, starting in early or mid-February 2027. Applicants must either hold a degree from a UK university or have worked in a UK academic position for at least four months before the application deadline. You should also have fewer than three years of independent postdoctoral research experience and must not currently hold, or have previously held, a full-time permanent academic research position at a UK university or an equivalent institution. All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set by both the Leverhulme Trust and the University of Cambridge.

How to Apply for Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2027? 

Applications begin through the CRASSH online application system, and you must submit before the internal deadline. You will need to prepare a completed cover sheet, a two-page CV, a publication list, a 250-word statement of your current research, and a detailed research proposal. You must also arrange two reference letters, with at least one referee from outside the University of Cambridge. During the application, you will be asked to identify your preferred CRASSH participating research centre and your proposed academic mentor. The internal application deadline is 12:00 noon on Friday, 16 October 2026, while referees must submit their recommendation letters by 5:00 PM on the same day. Preparing your documents and contacting your mentor and referees early will help ensure a smooth application process.

Key Details at a Glance

Program	Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2027
Host Institution	University of Cambridge
Research Centres	CRASSH participating centres
Fellowship Level	Early Career Postdoctoral Fellowship
Salary	Normally from £37,174 per year
Research Areas	Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research
Application Deadline	16 October 2026 (12:00 noon)
Referee Deadline	16 October 2026 (5:00 PM)
Country	United Kingdom

If you’re ready to establish yourself as an independent researcher at one of the world’s top universities, don’t wait. The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2027 at the University of Cambridge is your chance. Prepare your research proposal, secure your mentor and references, and submit your application before 16 October 2026. You can find complete eligibility requirements and application instructions on the official fellowship page.

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