The Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships support ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ’s mission to promote excellence in science and the application of science for the benefit of humanity. The programme is generously supported by the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation as part of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ Yusuf Hamied Programme for India.
Applications for this scheme are now open to Fellows of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ.
The Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships for Fellows enable five Fellows of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ to make visits to India of between 3 to 12 weeks. The Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships cover return international flights up to a maximum of £5,000 and weekly travel grant of £1,000.
Eligibility
Applications are open to all Fellows of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ. Applicants cannot be a member of the Society’s Council, the awarding body for the scheme.
Applications
The current round of applications opened on Monday 28 September 2026 and will close on Friday 6 November at 3pm.
Applications should outline the length of stay, amount requested, a schedule of activities and set out how the visit will achieve the aim of the scheme to ‘support the exchange of expertise between scientific communities and India’ giving reference to planned and proposed activities as well as longer term outcomes.
All applications should be submitted by email to YusufHamiedProgramme@royalsociety.org.
Selection
Applications will be reviewed by a group of members of Council of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ and up to five applicants will be selected for the Visiting Fellowships for each round. If more than five applications are received, a decision will be made based on the research areas covered in the application, the range of partner organisations and locations proposed, and the quality and impact of the anticipated outcomes. The breadth and diversity of applicants will also be taken into consideration. The decision of ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ is final.
Visits
Awards are expected to be announced in January 2027 and the visits should take place between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028. The scheme supports visits to India of between 3 to 12 weeks.
ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ will help Visiting Fellows make arrangements for their return flights (up to a maximum of £5,000) via its travel agent. Visiting Fellows will be expected to arrange their own travel insurance and accommodation while in India. Any additional costs for travel incurred above £5,000 must be met by the Visiting Fellow and/or their institution.
The weekly travel grant of £1,000, calculated pro rata, is expected to cover any accommodation, in-country travel, insurance, visa and subsistence costs as well as any project, activity or research costs. Any additional costs incurred above this travel grant must be met by the Visiting Fellow and/or their institution. Visiting Fellows will be expected to arrange their own travel insurance and visa.
Reporting
Returning Visiting Fellows will be asked to provide a short report (up to 1,000 words) outlining the main highlights of their visit and how their visit supported the exchange of expertise between scientific communities in the UK and India within six weeks of return. Visiting Fellows may also be asked to provide feedback on the scheme to improve future implementation.
The next round of applications for Senior Grant Holders will open in May 2027. The Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships for Senior Grant Holders are open to the following Royal Society grant holders:
- Royal Society Research Professors
- Royal Society Wolfson Fellows
- University Research Fellows on Renewal (ie 5-8 years into their early career fellowship)