Short Industry Fellowship Scheme

The scheme offers UK‑based businesses a valuable opportunity to access leading academic talent and cutting‑edge scientific expertise through short, structured secondments. Designed to support mobility between academia and industry, the scheme enables companies to bring skilled researchers into their organisation to address real‑world challenges, accelerate innovation, and strengthen their R&D capability.

For industry partners, the fellowship provides direct access to high‑quality researchers—often early career scientists and their postdoctoral colleagues—who bring fresh perspectives, specialist knowledge and advanced research skills from the natural sciences. These secondees can contribute to problem solving, technology development, data analysis, and exploratory research that may be difficult to resource internally. Collaborations with early‑stage companies are particularly encouraged, helping SMEs and start‑ups build technical capability and credibility at a critical growth stage.

The scheme also supports the development of long‑term academic‑industry relationships. By hosting a fellow, companies can establish trusted partnerships with universities or research organisations, creating pathways to future collaboration, joint funding bids and longer‑term Industry Fellowships. These relationships enhance knowledge exchange and help businesses stay connected to emerging research, methods and talent pipelines.

Fellowships are flexible, lasting between three and six months full‑time or up to 12 months part‑time, allowing organisations to benefit from embedded expertise while minimising operational disruption. Salary costs are covered by the award, reducing financial risk for industry partners. Overall, the scheme enables businesses to de‑risk innovation, accelerate research translation, and strengthen competitiveness through closer engagement with the UK research base.

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