ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships Applications
Applications for the 2027 Postdoctoral Fellowships are Open
The London Interdisciplinary Social Science DTP is inviting applications for four ESRC-funded Postdoctoral Fellowships to be based at any of our partner institutions: King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, or Imperial College London for October 2027 Entry.
These fellowships are aimed at providing a career development opportunity for researchers in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their careers, to provide the opportunity to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, their networks, and their research and professional skills. New research cannot be funded through these awards.
Fellowships will provide funding for up to 9 months full-time, or up to 18 months part-time to cover the fellow’s salary plus up to £7,500 for all other costs (e.g. mentoring costs, travel, conference attendance, training, and impact and engagement events).
Full-time fellowships must finish by 30 June 2028.
Finding a Mentor
If you need help identifying a mentor, a list of potential mentors interested in working with postdoctoral fellows is available below. Applicants are welcome to contact staff members who are not on the mentor list.
Working with a non-academic partner is encouraged. Examples of LISS DTP Partners can also be found below.
Proposals are welcome from both single discipline or a combination of disciplines, but Social Sciences must make up at least 50% of your fellowship activities and your proposal must fall under one of LISS DTP’s Research Areas.
Eligibility
Applicants must make sure that they meet the ESRC’s eligibility criteria before applying.
To be eligible applicants must:
• Have completed their PhD in the UK at a UK research organisation.
Applicants are not required to have previously held an ESRC funded studentship to be eligible to apply.
• Have been awarded a PhD or have passed their viva voce with minor amendments by the application deadline of 23.59 on 23 March 2027 and have been awarded their PhD by the fellowship start date of 1 October 2027.
• Have no more than 12 months of active postdoctoral experience. This is measured from the applicant’s viva voce pass date to the application deadline of 23 March 2027.
Only one application to a single DTP is permitted. If an applicant submits to more than one DTP, all of their applications will be withdrawn from further consideration.
ESRC Call Documents
Applicants who are interested in applying for an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the LISS DTP should read the ESRC Call specification and FAQ documents fully before applying.
How to Apply
LISS DTP has a two-stage application process: an Expression of Interest and a Full Fellowship Proposal.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants should read the ESRC Call specification and make sure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants must demonstrate a realistic and practicable programme of work in their proposal. Applicants should consider their application and plans for the fellowship carefully and identify a potential mentor and contact them before applying.
Applicants are required to submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) Application form to LISS DTP by the deadline of 10:00 on 17 December 2026.
You can see an example of the EOI application form to help you prepare your answers here. Please note this is for guidance only and applications must be submitted through the online portal.
• Expresssion Of Interest (EOI): EOI Application Form
• Applicants should also complete the online Diversity Monitoring Form
Expression of Interest (EOI) Applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 10:00 on 17 December 2026 to be considered for the full fellowship proposal stage.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of January 2027 and invited to submit a full Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal in Stage 2.
Stage 2: Full Fellowship Proposal
Applicants successful at the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit a full Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposal comprising the following components:
• ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Form – Click to Download PDF Form
• All Mandatory Attachments
Completed fellowship applications must be submitted by email to: lissapplications@kcl.ac.uk by the deadline of 23:59 on 23 March 2027
PDF Competition Timeline for October 2027 Entry
| Applications for Expressions of Interest open | 10th November 2026 | |||
| Online Applicant Briefing Session | 23rd November 2026 | |||
| Closing date for EOI online application | 17th December 2026 | |||
| Sucessful EOI applicants notified to submit full proposal | By end of January 2027 | |||
| Closing date for ESRC Fellowship Proposal submissions | 23rd March 2027 | |||
| Interviews for shortlisted applicants | May/June 2027 | |||
| Decisions confirmed to applicants | Mid-June 2027 | |||
| Successful proposals submitted to ESRC | 30th June 2027 | |||
| Fellowship commencement date | 1st October 2027 | |||
| Fellowship end date | 30th June 2028 |
Find Out More
Postdoctoral Fellowship Online Applicant Briefing Session
We will be holding an online Postdoctoral Fellowship Applicant Briefing Session on Monday 23 November, 13:00 – 14:00 GMT for applicants to find out more about the fellowships and application process.