Apply to the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence Scheme 2025–2026. Open to industry experts and scientists globally, this UK-based opportunity offers £50,000 in funding to lead innovation and research translation at universities. Deadline: 17 September 2025.
About the Scheme
The Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Scheme is part of its Science, Industry and Translation Programme and aims to embed cutting-edge industrial research and innovation into the heart of UK academic institutions. This prestigious opportunity enables experienced industrial scientists or entrepreneurs to spend one day a week for two years at a UK university, delivering bespoke projects that bridge the gap between industry and academia.
The scheme supports up to 10 awardees who will contribute to:
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Exposing students and faculty to real-world scientific challenges faced by industry
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Promoting innovation and translating research into practical applications
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Enhancing understanding of business and entrepreneurship in academic environments
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Fostering professional development and recognition for award holders
Funding and Support
Each award is valued up to £50,000 over two years, covering:
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Salary Support: Up to £20,000/year as a 0.2 FTE salary contribution (20% working time at the host university)
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Travel and Project Costs: Up to £5,000/year for travel, accommodation, conferences, and training-related expenses
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Have a background in science or engineering
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Demonstrate significant experience in industrial research
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Be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the award
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Show expertise in one or more of the following:
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University-business collaboration and research commercialization
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Entrepreneurship (company formation, investment, etc.)
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Mentoring, training, or coaching
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Applicants may be full-time, part-time, self-employed, or retired. The scheme is open to individuals of all nationalities. Host organizations must be UK-based universities or not-for-profit research institutions.
Areas of Research
Projects must fall under the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, including but not limited to:
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Biological research
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Chemistry
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Engineering
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Mathematics
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Physics
Note: Clinical, social science, and humanities-focused research is excluded unless explicitly stated.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the Royal Society’s Flexi-Grant® platform. Applicants will be evaluated in three stages:
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Review by Industry Experts: Initial scoring by former awardees and industry leaders
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Panel Verification: Scores verified by the Chair of the Science, Innovation, and Translation Committee
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Final Selection: Based on overall project merit, applicant qualifications, and institutional support
Applicants must provide:
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Research proposal with outlined impact, feasibility, and deliverables
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CV and career summary
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Budget and financial justification
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Institutional approvals and referee statements
The award is expected to commence by March 2026.
Commitment to Inclusion
The Royal Society welcomes applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and accommodates individuals with disabilities. Adjustments can be made throughout the application process to ensure equal access.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
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| Application Opens | 18 June 2025 |
| Application Deadline | 17 September 2025, 3:00 PM (UK Time) |
| Award Decision | 19 December 2025 |
| Program Start | By March 2026 |
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online.
For inquiries or adjustments, contact the Industry team at: industry@royalsociety.org
For more opportunities, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org.