The Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence 2026 scheme supports highly experienced industrial scientists and entrepreneurs to spend one day a week at a UK university. The scheme aims to increase knowledge and awareness of cutting-edge industrial science, research, and innovation in UK universities. Applications close on 19 August 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence
Category: Grant Scheme
Host: The Royal Society
Country: United Kingdom
Duration: Two years
Application Deadline: 19 August 2026
Funding Status: Up to a maximum of £25,000 per year
Eligible Applicants: Applicants of any nationality who are eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the award
About the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence 2026 Scheme
The Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence scheme is part of the Society’s Science, Industry and Translation programme. It is designed to connect UK universities with experienced industrial scientists and entrepreneurs.
Through the scheme, award holders spend one day each week at a university. During this time, they develop a bespoke project that supports innovation, research translation, industrial awareness, and entrepreneurship within the host university environment.
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Programme Purpose and Activities
The scheme provides an opportunity for universities to benefit from direct engagement with people who have strong experience in industrial science and entrepreneurship. It also supports university staff and students in understanding how industrial research and development work in practice.
The project developed by the Entrepreneur in Residence should help:
• Expose university staff and students to state-of-the-art industrial research and development.
• Highlight scientific challenges faced by industry.
• Provide support and expert advice for innovation and research translation.
• Build confidence and understanding of business and entrepreneurship among staff and students.
• Provide career recognition and professional development support for award holders.
Funding and Covered Costs
The Royal Society states that the scheme provides a contribution to the basic salary of the Entrepreneur in Residence and support for travel and project costs.
The value of the scheme is up to a maximum of £25,000 per year.
Confirmed eligible support includes:
✓ Salary equivalent to 0.2 FTE of the award holder’s current salary
✓ Support for the award holder to spend 20% of working time at the host university
✓ Travel costs to and from the host
✓ Accommodation costs, if required
✓ Project costs to support delivery of the project plan
✓ Conference attendance, meeting workshops, and training where included in project costs
The Entrepreneur in Residence’s basic salary only is paid during the secondment. The official page states that the award holder’s employer continues to pay national insurance and pension contributions.
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Who Can Apply?
The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering. Clinical medicine is excluded.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements stated by the Royal Society.
• Applicants may be of any nationality.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the award.
• Applicants should have a background in science and engineering.
• Applicants must demonstrate significant experience of working in science in an industrial research context.
• Applicants may be employed full-time, part-time, or self-employed.
Required Experience
In addition to industrial research experience, applicants must demonstrate one or more of the experience areas listed by the Royal Society.
• Experience managing university-business collaborations and translating or commercialising research.
• Experience of entrepreneurship, such as company formation, company growth, or investment.
• Experience or interest in training, coaching, or mentoring.
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Application and Assessment Process
Applications must be submitted through the Royal Society’s grant management system, Flexi-Grant.
After submission, applications are reviewed and assessed by two members of a selection panel. The panel is formed of industry and translation experts and former award holders. Scores are then verified by the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Translation committee.
Applicants should prepare their project and host arrangements carefully before submitting through the official system.
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Key Dates
• Open date: 03 June 2026
• Close date: 19 August 2026
• Decision by: 30 November 2026
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence 2026 scheme is 19 August 2026.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
