Applying for research grants and postdoctoral fellowships

Research funding in History and Philosophy of Science (HPS)

HPS has internal mechanisms for reviewing and supporting research grant applications that enable the Department to work quickly and efficiently.

All applications, except for those from current Cambridge University Teaching Officers (UTOs), must have an HPS sponsor who helps the applicant to review and shape their proposal prior to submission to the Department's Research Committee, and who then supports them prepare the full application to the funder.

If the application to the funder is successful, the sponsor will act as mentor to the researcher, and in some cases the sponsor will also become the PI for the grant. This process ensures that applications fit with the strategic aims of the institution, are on a subject that the Department would like to host, and are realistically planned and properly resourced. No application for funding can be made in the Department's name without prior approval from the Research Committee and without being costed by the School Research Grants Administrator (SRGA).

Project grant applications require significant planning, and it is rare for anyone other than a UTO to submit a large project grant application (i.e. an application that involves a multi-person team) through HPS. Where this does happen, the Department will carefully review from an early stage in order to establish the quality of the proposed research and the resource implications – this will be prior to agreeing to act as host.

How to apply

We encourage prospective external and internal applicants to contact the HPS School Research Grants Administrator (SRGA) as early as possible, and at minimum two months ahead of the fellowship or grant deadline: they can be contacted at RGA@hps.cam.ac.uk.

Building in sufficient time in the application pipeline is essential to allow all parties to review the proposal and ensure there are no reputational or financial issues – late applications cause significant risk to the University and Department. As such, the Department has a policy that anyone wishing to ask HPS to act as host for a funding application must meet with potential sponsors in the Department and discuss their project in detail at least two months in advance of the application deadline.

If no mentor is needed, or if assistance is needed in identifying a suitable mentor, the applicant should instead approach Professor Tim Lewens, the Director of Research (DoR), two months in advance of the deadline: tml1000@cam.ac.uk.

The process for obtaining Department approval to proceed is as follows:

  1. The researcher and mentor should contact the SRGA and the DoR as early as possible to explain their proposal, and confirm eligibility.
  2. The researcher should complete and submit the Research Sponsorship Form [Word], which is addressed to the SRGA and the Departmental Administrator: administrator@hps.cam.ac.uk.
  3. The Research Committee will consider the proposal, and advise on outcome through the SRGA.

Once an application is approved by HPS, the applicant and SRGA can proceed to develop a full application and budget. The application must be completed and sent to the SRGA at least 10 working days prior to the funder's submission deadline for final Department checks. The finalised application will be sent to the University's Research Operations Office (ROO) at least five working days before the funder deadline to obtain institutional approval.

If your application is successful, your project will be hosted by the Department and will benefit from our unique interdisciplinary research environment.

Restricted calls

Some grants and fellowships restrict the number of applications that can be made by each institution. Such calls require an initial Department selection of candidates to select the nominees to represent HPS.

This applies when the Department is the lead institution, or where it is a collaborator. The SRGA can advise on funding schemes where this is in operation.

Application essentials

  1. Identify the funding opportunity. The UKRI 'Funding finder' is a recommended starting point.
  2. Contact a potential mentor from the HPS Senior Academic Staff list, if required, to discuss your research project at least two months before the deadline. If no mentor is required, please contact the Director of Research.
  3. Email the School Research Grants Administrator to discuss eligibility, costings and timescales at least two months before the deadline.
  4. Complete the HPS Research Sponsorship Form [Word] and submit to the SRGA for approval by HPS's Research Committee.
  5. Develop your application with the SRGA.
  6. Submit your finalised application to the SRGA for approval at least 10 working days before the funder deadline.
  7. Research Operations Office carry out final checks and institutional approval.
  8. Applicants are notified of outcome by funder directly.

Research grant application process

At least 2 months before funder deadline:
Applicant submits the HPS Research Sponsorship Form [Word] to the SRGA for forwarding on to the Department for review.

  • Anyone wishing to apply for research funding via an external source, with the intention of the award being hosted in HPS, must complete the form to seek departmental approval to apply. A departmental sponsor – where required – should already have agreed by this point.

4 weeks before funder deadline:
HPS SRGA notifies Research Operations Office (ROO) of intent to apply.

10 working days before funder deadline:
Applicant and HPS SRGA send application documents and finalised budget to DA and HoD for final departmental approval.

  • The application may still be in development at this stage.

5 working days before funder deadline:
Applicant and HPS SRGA submit the application to ROO.

  • ROO is the University's official signatory for research grants, with formally delegated authority to submit research grants applications. The applicant will submit the proposal via the funder portal or similar; the SRGA will submit the Worktribe costing.

The HPS School Research Grants Administrator (SRGA) will work with the applicant on the proposed bid up to the point where the application is submitted to ROO. Please get in touch with the SRGA at RGA@hps.cam.ac.uk as soon as possible in the process.

Important links

A note on Visiting Scholars

The research sponsorship route outlined above is the appropriate pathway for any researcher whose primary research home will be the HPS Department, and whose project is not primarily based in another institution. This is so even if the terms of the targeting funding scheme mean the researcher will receive an allowance paid directly by the funder, will consequently not be an employee of the University of Cambridge, and will formally require the status of Visiting Scholar for visa purposes.

International working policy

Will you be working overseas for (cumulatively) over 90 days in any 12-month period?

The new international working policy is relevant for any staff members who will spend more than 90 days away from the UK per year. If this is relevant for you, it may have implications for the amount of funding you apply for. Please read the policy for more information.

Do you need to know how to include International Working related costs in your research grant application?

The Global Mobility Team and Research Office provide Pre Award Training & Support.

Key schemes for early career researchers – Easter Term 2026

Notes for both schemes:

  • Departmental approval is required to apply.
  • Mentors are required for both calls. A direct statement of support is needed for the ESRC PDF application before submission.
  • Please get in touch with the Research Grants Administrator if you have any questions or are interested in applying to these schemes: RGA@hps.cam.ac.uk

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

  • Who it's for: Researchers with a PhD and up to 8 years' research experience (career breaks excluded), of any nationality, looking to strengthen their CV through international mobility
  • What it offers: A fully funded fellowship at a set price (salary, mobility and family allowances, research/training costs) focused on career development, skills training, and independence
  • Types of fellowships:
    • European PF: 12–24 months at a host in an EU Member State or Associated Country
    • Global PF: 24–36 months total, including an outgoing phase outside Europe plus a mandatory 12 month return to Europe
  • Discipline and sector: All disciplines eligible; strong encouragement for interdisciplinary and non academic sector experience (including optional secondments/placements)
  • Deadline (current call): 9 September 2026 (17:00 CEST)

Further information: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship

  • Who it's for: Researchers in the immediately post PhD stage with no more than 15 months of active postdoctoral experience (FTE, excluding career breaks), who completed their PhD at a UK research organisation and have passed their viva by the national deadline
  • Purpose: A career development fellowship to help you consolidate your PhD, develop publications, expand networks, and build research and professional skills – not for undertaking new research projects
  • Funding and duration: Funded for up to 9 months full time or up to 18 months part time (pro rata) and £7,500 for mentor costs and research expenses; fellows start 1 October 2026 (full time awards normally conclude by 30 June 2027)
  • Discipline and host: Activities must be at least 50% within the social sciences and hosted at the University of Cambridge (participating departments), Anglia Ruskin University or the University of Bedfordshire
  • What you can do: Focus on outputs and development – e.g. publishing, impact and engagement, training, network building, funding applications, limited teaching, and research visits; no new data collection is permitted
  • How to apply: Apply to one DTP only (multiple submissions lead to withdrawal) using the templates provided on the website; references and a statement from your mentor are required
  • Deadline (current call): CAM DTP deadline 1 June 2026 (23:59 BST), followed by a second stage submission to ESRC if selected

Futher information: CAM-DTP