The Kennedy Trust is excited to announce a new schedule of funding calls:

Further details of each initiative can be found below.

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Transition Fellowship

Applications are now open for the Trust’s latest funding initiative, the Transition Fellowship, designed to provide talented postdoctoral researchers with the opportunity to develop an independent research career and progress towards higher-level appointments. The Fellowship of £500k for up to 5 years will be undertaken in any basic or clinical scientific discipline with a clear relevance to rheumatic or related musculoskeletal, immunological or inflammatory diseases.

Providing crucial support at a pivotal career stage, the award will also promote the development of broader skills and expertise beyond, but integral to, research. Additional support from the Fellow’s host institution will be encouraged.

• Eligibility: postdoctoral researchers who do not currently hold a permanent academic position and who have clearly demonstrated support from a recognised host UK research institution.
• Applications open: 17^th October 2024
• Expressions of interest invited: by 5^th December 2024 via this online form
• Applications close: 20^th January 2025
• Interviews: w/c 12^th May 2025
• Outcome announced: by 4^th July 2025

For further details, please download a copy of our guidance notes and application form. If you have any questions about the call, please contact grants@kennedytrust.org.

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Research Ignition Awards

The Kennedy Trust launched its Research Ignition Awards in 2023 to provide pump-priming support for innovative and ambitious avenues of research relevant to the field of rheumatology or related musculoskeletal, immunological or inflammatory disease. Ten awards of up to £100k over 1-2 years have been awarded across a wide range of research themes.

The awards are highly flexible and designed to seed funding of larger programmes of ambitious clinical, translational or basic research.

• Eligibility: investigators at all stages of independent research careers, with priority given to mid-career researchers. Investigators must hold a position at a recognised UK research institution for the full period of the award, although collaborations with international investigators are also encouraged.
• Applications open: March 2025
• Applications close: May 2025
• Outcome announced: October 2025

Details of how to apply for a Research Ignition Award will be released in 2025.

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Senior Research Fellowship

The Kennedy Trust launched its Senior Research Fellowship scheme in 2017 with the primary aim of supporting young scientists. Six Fellowships have since been awarded across the UK.

The highly competitive 5-year Fellowship of up to £1.5m will be awarded to a promising independent researcher with a proven track record of excellence in any scientific discipline relevant to the field of rheumatology or related musculoskeletal, immunological or inflammatory disease.

• Eligibility: researchers with a proven track record of excellence in their field who are at the stage of developing their own independent area of research; they should not currently hold a permanent academic position. Each UK research institution is invited to undertake an internal review process before putting forward a single candidate each. Applications from individuals will not be accepted.
• Applications open: October 2025
• Applications close: January 2026
• Interviews: April/May 2026
• Outcome announced: July 2026

Details of how to apply for a Senior Research Fellowship will be released in 2025.

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Kennedy Trust recognises that diversity is essential for excellence and increases the capacity to develop, innovate and grow. We are committed to ensuring that our funding mechanisms and processes do not present any potential barriers or bias to funding. We welcome applications from disabled applicants and we will provide reasonable adjustments throughout our application processes. Please contact grants@kennedytrust.org for further information and support. We encourage applications from both UK and non-UK domiciled researchers who wish to conduct their research at an eligible UK institution. Fellowship award holders requiring a visa to work in the UK may be eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa under the fast-track process of endorsement.