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Expert Review: The full application will receive a minimum of three expert reviews (usually Fellows of the Academy). Reviewers will provide comments against each of the following assessment criteria, the overall quality of the application and a recommendation on whether they should proceed to interview.

• Quality of the candidate
• Quality of the collaborative research programme
• Strength of the strategic partnership
• Beneficiaries and impact

Sift panel: Applications will then be considered by the sift panel, consisting of Academy Fellows, who will rank the applications and select candidates for interview. Each applicant will be considered by two panel members, one with expertise in your area and one without. Those applicants not asked to attend an interview will be informed of this decision as soon as possible following the sift panel’s decision.

Interview: The interviews (60 minutes) will be conducted by a generalist panel consisting of three Academy Fellows. Panellists will provide comments against the assessment criteria outlined above. The ranking of candidates during the preceding sift panels will have no bearing at interview, with all interview candidates considered to have equal standing. Following the interviews, the panel will rank the applications and select the top ranked candidates for awards. The candidate, their pro-vice chancellor (Research) and/or dean and a representative from the industry sponsor are required to attend the interview.

This scheme aims to strengthen the links between industry and academia by supporting exceptional academics in UK universities to undertake use-inspired research that meets the needs of the industrial partners.

Research Chairs are professorial appointments, so applicants should already be a professor or equivalent.

Senior Research Fellowships are senior academic appointments, so applicants should already be a Reader or Lecturer level or equivalent.

The applicant must have a permanent academic position or an unconditional offer of such a position. The letter of support from the host institution must make clear that they have offered a permanent position to the applicant stating the starting date. The permanent position must start before the award. 

In this round, the Academy’s contribution will be capped at a maximum of £45k per annum which equates to a total of £225k over five years.

• The awardee will be provided with a mentor (a Fellow of the Academy) to provide independent expert advice and guidance on research related matters throughout the duration of the award.
• Networking opportunities with and through the Academy’s Fellowship and events programme.
• Training and additional funding opportunities provided by the Academy,
• The awardee can spend no more than 4 hours per week on teaching/administration duties enabling them to focus on delivering use-inspired research, that creates impact for their industrial sponsor.