The APEX Awards (Academies Partnership in Supporting Excellence in Cross-disciplinary Research) are offered in collaboration with the British Academy, the Royal Society, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, with generous support from the Leverhulme Trust. These awards provide established independent researchers with a strong track record and demonstrated leadership in collaborative work an opportunity to pursue innovative, curiosity-driven interdisciplinary research that benefits society. Successful applicants are expected to engage with researchers from other disciplines, fostering meaningful collaboration across diverse fields.
The scheme aims to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, particularly at the intersection of science, engineering, and the social sciences and humanities. It supports outstanding research unlikely to receive funding through conventional programmes, enabling researchers to explore new directions with partners from other disciplines. The awards also provide seed funding to allow researchers to focus on advancing innovative projects while building collaborations that can have long-term impact.
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The 2026 round of the APEX Awards will open earlier than previous years to provide greater flexibility in administration and to allow host institutions sufficient time to appoint replacement teaching staff prior to the start of the awards. Applications must align with the remit of more than one of the Academies, with particular encouragement for projects bridging the British Academy and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
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Eligible disciplines include social sciences and humanities, where creative and professional practice may shape methods or outcomes, provided a clear scholarly rationale is presented. Engineering applications are welcome across all fields, broadly defined to include areas such as computer science and materials. Natural sciences, including agriculture, mathematics, technology, materials, medical, environmental, and engineering sciences, also fall within the remit of the Royal Society, though clinical or interventional research involving humans is generally excluded.
Through the APEX Awards, exceptional researchers are empowered to pursue groundbreaking interdisciplinary projects, generate meaningful collaborations, and advance knowledge in ways that conventional funding mechanisms may not support.
Benefits
Benefits:
- Promote collaboration across disciplines
- Support outstanding interdisciplinary research
- Enable researchers to explore new directions
- Provide seed funding for innovative projects
- Focus on curiosity-driven research benefiting society
- Encourage partnerships with researchers from other disciplines
- Enhance professional recognition and credibility
- Flexible timeline for award administration
Eligibilities
Eligiblities:
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Must be an established independent researcher with a strong track record.
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Open to researchers in engineering, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
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Researchers without a PhD are eligible if they have equivalent research experience.
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Must be based at a UK university or not-for-profit research institution for the duration of the project.
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Must collaborate with a co-applicant from a different discipline or institution in the UK.
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Application must be supported by the Head of Department, confirming access to facilities and potential teaching relief.
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Research must span the remit of more than one Academy (British Academy, Royal Society, or Royal Academy of Engineering).
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Only one application per researcher per round is allowed.
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Open to researchers on full-time, part-time, or fixed-term contracts, provided the contract covers the award period.
Application Process
Application process:
Applications should be submitted through the Royal Society’s grant management system, Flexi-Grant®, by 15:00 (BST) on Tuesday 9 September 2025.
Your application will go through the assessment process detailed in the APEX Awards scheme guidance.
You will be notified of the result of the application process in April 2026.
We are committed to supporting applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable adjustment during the application process, please contact the team via [email protected] or phone +44 20 7451 2666.
Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 (10 Days Remaining)
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