The Leverhulme Trust is a UK-based charitable organization that provides funding for research and education. It was established in 1925 under the will of William Lever, the first Viscount Leverhulme, a successful businessman and philanthropist.
The Leverhulme Trust's main objective is to support research and education across various disciplines, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. It provides funding for individual researchers and collaborative research projects, and its grants cover a wide range of activities, including fieldwork, laboratory research, travel, and publication costs.
The Trust is funded by an endowment managed by a board of trustees. Its activities are overseen by an executive team, who works closely with the academic community to identify areas of research and education that need funding.
Over the years, the Leverhulme Trust has supported many groundbreaking research projects and has significantly advanced knowledge and understanding across various disciplines. Its funding has been instrumental in supporting the careers of many leading academics and researchers.
The Leverhulme Trust offers a variety of funding programs to support research and education across a range of disciplines. Some of the leading programs that the Trust offers include:
Research Project Grants: These grants support individual or collaborative research projects across all subject areas. Funding for up to five years can cover various costs, including salaries, equipment, travel, and conference attendance.
Early Career Fellowships: These fellowships are designed to support early career researchers who have recently completed their Ph.D. Funding for up to three years can cover salary, research expenses, and training costs.
Study Abroad Studentships: These studentships fund postgraduate students to study overseas for up to 12 months. The aim is to provide opportunities for students to gain international experience and develop their skills and knowledge in their chosen fields.
Visiting Professorships: These awards provide funding for established researchers to spend time at a UK institution, working on a specific research project or collaborating with UK-based researchers.
Emeritus Fellowships: These fellowships fund retired academics to continue their research part-time. The aim is to enable experienced researchers to share their knowledge and expertise with younger researchers and contribute to the broader academic community.
The Trust is committed to supporting innovative and cutting-edge research across all disciplines, and its funding programs are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the academic community.
The Leverhulme Trust offers a range of fellowship programs to support researchers at different stages of their careers. Here are some of the leading fellowship programs:
Early Career Fellowships: These fellowships are designed to support early career researchers who have recently completed their Ph.D. The fellowships provide funding for up to three years and cover the fellow's salary, research expenses, and training costs.
Study Abroad Fellowships: These fellowships fund postgraduate students to study overseas for up to 12 months. The aim is to provide opportunities for students to gain international experience and develop their skills and knowledge in their chosen fields.
Research Fellowships: These fellowships provide funding for experienced researchers to undertake a specific research project. The fellowships provide funding for up to three years and cover the fellow's salary, research expenses, and other costs related to the project.
Visiting Professorships: These fellowships provide funding for established researchers to spend time at a UK institution, working on a specific research project, or collaborating with UK-based researchers.
Emeritus Fellowships: These fellowships fund retired academics to continue their research part-time. The aim is to enable experienced researchers to share their knowledge and expertise with younger researchers and contribute to the broader academic community.
These fellowships are highly competitive, and the Leverhulme Trust receives many applications yearly. Therefore, applicants are usually required to have an excellent academic record and a clear and compelling research proposal that fits within the aims of the specific fellowship program.