ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships - call now closed
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has opened the 2026 call for its Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) Scheme. This scheme supports researchers in the immediate postdoctoral stage, helping them build their careers by developing publications, networks, and research and professional skills.
Applicants can apply to hold their Fellowship at the University of Leeds. Fellowships are fixed-term posts offered as either:
- 9 months full-time, or
- 18 months part-time
The Fellowship covers salary costs, and applicants can also apply for funding to support research activities such as conference attendance, travel, training, and fieldwork.
A total of five fellowships will be awarded across the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) universities, starting 1 October 2026.
For full details, please see the WRDTP Postdoctoral Fellowship webpage, including:
Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to [email protected] as detailed in the links below:
University of Leeds process
The University of Leeds will:
- screen Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for eligibility
- carry out an internal review of EOIs
- select three EOIs to progress to full proposals for submission to the WRDTP
The WRDTP will then select the five overall successful applicants.
Key dates
| 18/03/26 | Call announced |
| 08/04/26 | EOI closing date 17:00 |
| 01/05/26 | Applicants informed of outcome of their EOI (either to develop full application, or will not be taken any further). |
| 06/05/26 | Application development workshop - for the three applicants and their supervisors. |
| 01/06/26 | Candidates develop full applications and must submit full proposal to the WRDTP by 23:59 on 1 June 2026. |
| TBC - end of June 2026 | Applicants will be informed of the outcome (successful or unsuccessful) |
If you have any questions about the Fellowships, not answered by the webpages above, please contact the WRDTP Office on [email protected].