Our senior research fellowships

Our senior research fellowships are for people who want to specialise in Parkinson's research by establishing their own independent research group. 

We’re keen to receive applications from researchers working across all fields of research into Parkinson's, including research on the potential links between diabetes and Parkinson’s. This can include research into Parkinson's Plus - conditions that share some aspects of Parkinson's, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Deadlines

The deadline for preproposal applications is Wednesday 1 July 2026, by 4pm.

The full application deadline will be Wednesday 7 October 2026, by 4pm for applicants who are successful at the preproposal stage.

The senior research fellowship preproposal form will be made available in 2026 on our online application system. Applicants who are successful at the preproposal stage will then be invited to submit a full application via our online application system.

Online interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing Monday 23 November 2026.

Research Involvement Award

The deadline for the optional Research Involvement Award is Monday 20 April 2026, by 12midday. The award offers financial support so that applicants can work with people who have lived experience of Parkinson’s as they develop their grant application. Find out more and apply

Workshop

Sign up to our virtual workshop on Thursday 19 March 2026 at 10.00am-11.30am to hear more about how to apply for a senior research fellowship and also about our Research Involvement Award support grants. This will include the chance to hear from a recent successful applicant, top tips from both lay and scientific reviewers, as well as information on meaningful patient and public involvement (PPI) requirements and the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Duration and value

Senior research fellowships are initially offered for up to £300,000 for 3 years.

Funding can cover:

• the cost of the applicant's salary
• appropriate start-up and running costs
• support for additional research assistance such as a technician or research assistant
• well justified costs for training opportunities such as attendance at relevant conferences or short courses

Senior research fellowship award holders can formally apply for a further 2 years of funding at least 6 months before the end of the award.

Fellowships awarded for more than 3 years may be dependent on the host research institution committing some funds towards the latter stages of the fellowship.

Eligibility

Our senior research fellowships are for people who want to specialise in Parkinson's research by establishing their own independent research group. 

Applicants should have a strong track record of original and productive research in their area which shows impact across past appointments (typically at least one previous post-doctoral appointment). They should be able to demonstrate:

• the progress they have made in moving towards independence through diverse collaborations and partnerships independent of their sponsors and past supervisor
• receipt of small amounts of independent funding (such as a previous intermediate fellowship) and/or a track record of effective management of a small number of their own laboratory staff. 
   

Researchers are not eligible to apply if they already:

• hold an equivalent level fellowship (running concurrently to the grant requested) that supports transition to independence by establishing a research group

• have established an independent research group 

• hold a tenured position.

Supervisors should hold employment contracts that extend beyond the period of the grant.

Grants are tenable only at a UK university, NHS Trust, statutory social care organisation or other UK research institution.

Co-applicants and collaborators may be based at institutions outside the UK or at pharmaceutical or biotech companies.

We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply for grants, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Review process

Preproposals will be independently reviewed by three scientific members of our College of Experts as outlined in the information for applicants.

Full applications will be independently reviewed by three scientific members of our College of Experts and a group of lay grant reviewers, who are people living with Parkinson’s.

Success rates and impact

There was a 50% success rate at the full application stage in 2024. In 2024, the charity received 7 preproposal applications, 4 of these were invited to submit a full application, and 2 applications were recommended for funding. 

In 2025, the charity received 11 preproposals, 4 of these were invited to submit a full application and no application were recommended for funding.

You can find out more about the impact of our fellowship schemes by downloading our Research Fellowships Impact Report 2025.

You can also download the latest list of all our active research projects.