Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship Scheme

We are now CLOSED for applications to the 2025 scheme, though we note that the Leverhulme Trust themselves do not open this scheme until 1 January. This is becuase we operate a mandatory internal shortlisting and selection process for this scheme, which means that our School deadline for applications is earlier than the Leverhulme deadline, and even it’s opening date. We cannot therefore accept late applications. 

Please be aware that we operate an internal shortlisting process for this scheme, and only selected candidates will be invited to submit an application through the School. Applications for shortlisted candidates will receive detailed peer review. 

If you have any queries on this scheme which are not covered by these pages then please contact LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

2025 guidance

We have left the 2025 guidance up on this page to help potential future applicants plan for the 2026 scheme, as we expect the timeline to be broadly similar.

There are particular requirements regarding the timing of the submission of your thesis which should be carefully considered: for example, applicants are only eligible for the scheme for four years after their thesis submission, unless a career break has been taken.

Please note that you are strongly advised to check the updated eligibility requirements for this scheme on the Leverhulme Trust’s website.

LCS internal process for applications

The School internally shortlists for this scheme, and only selected candidates will be supported in submitting their application to the Leverhulme Trust. There is a School deadline for this scheme, and late applications will not be accepted.

Part one: the selection and shortlisting process

1. Find a mentor. This can be done at any stage – in fact, we encourage getting in touch at the earliest opportunity so that you can finalise your project in conjunction with your mentor. If you do not have a mentor in mind, please have a look at our research pages, staff profiles, and searchable mentor lists - and feel free to make contact directly with relevant colleagues. Alternatively you can contact LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk and we will put you in touch with some potential mentors. Your mentor will give you informal/ongoing peer review on draft project proposals and other required documents at all stages, but this will be particularly important and useful when you are preparing for the School’s internal shortlisting process (see below).
2. By 9am on Monday 2 December 2024 all applicants who wish to be considered for this scheme must submit the following for consideration by the School’s shortlisting panel:

1. Your outline case for support/project proposal (maximum 2 sides of A4). This should include the following:

• a brief description of your proposed project;
• a timeline mapping out your plan of activity across the three years of the postdoc;
• an explanation of how the project will contribute to your career development and the skills you would hope to develop over the course of the fellowship. 

2. A completed Expression of Interest (EoI) form 

100. Your academic CV (maximum of two sides of A4). This should include contact details, qualifications (including class and subject), and a list of your most relevant and recent publications

500. A separate document providing us with a brief explanation (no more than 300 words) of why your research project would be best carried out in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds.All applications will be considered by the School’s shortlisting committee, and candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks. Only successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full application through the School.

3. All applications will be considered by the School’s shortlisting committee, and candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks. Only successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full application through the School.

Part two: the peer review and submission process (for selected candidates only)

Peer review on applications will be given to candidates who are selected for submission through the shortlisting process. The following outlines the School’s peer review process for this scheme:

4. Once selected through the shortlisting process, you should immediately start to work on your application for the scheme through the Leverhulme’s Grants Management System, with the advice and support of your mentor. 
5. By 9am on Wednesday 8 January 2025, shortlisted applicants must download your full application from the Leverhulme system, and submit it (ideally in Word format) to LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk for peer review. Feedback will be provided within 7 – 10 days.
6. The University’s internal deadline for this scheme will be on Thursday 6 February 2025. Applications must be available to our teams so that financial information can be added and sign off set up by this date, but minor text-only revisions can still be made until 3 – 5 days before the external deadline for the Leverhulme Trust of 4pm on Thursday 20 February 2025.

2025 Timeline for the scheme/school process 

• 9am Monday 2 December 2024  – School deadline for candidates who wish to be considered as potential candidates for this scheme.
• Late December 2024 – Candidates to be notified as to the outcome of their application to the School: only selected/shortlisted candidates will take part in the rest of the timeline.
• 9am Wednesday 8 January 2025 – Shortlisted candidates must submit their complete draft application to the School for peer review. We aim to return feedback to applicants within 10 working days.
• 6 February 2025 – University internal closing date for applications.
• 20 February 2025 – external scheme closing date.

Downloads

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships expression of interest form 2025

It may be useful for you to look through this brief PowerPoint, which offers some advice for applicants to this scheme.