RSE research promotes innovation and entrepreneurship and supports leading research that benefits Scotland’s cultural, economic and social wellbeing.

The RSE commits substantial resources to its research awards programme, providing types and amounts of funding unavailable from UKRI or other sources. These small-scale awards are critical for early career researchers, prior to attracting larger funding from UK, European and international sources. The RSE also supports and promotes related Scottish Government research programmes and emphasises inclusion and the importance of early career researchers.

Importantly, these support researchers from all academic disciplines; at any career stage; facilitate international and multidisciplinary collaboration; and fund research making a difference in the real world. Surveys confirm that our awards significantly impact supporting career development, facilitating collaborations, leveraging additional funding, and enabling knowledge exchange.

Opportunities for Fellows

Short-term opportunities:

  • Use academic and business contacts to promote the Research Awards
  • Suggest how RSE can continue to contribute productively and cost effectively to the benefit of the Scottish economy and add value by collaborating with others

Longer-term opportunities:

  • Membership of the Research Committee
  • Volunteering to serve on our selection committees

To get involved, contact our team at [email protected].

Explore RSE research activity

The RSE provide grants to high quality researchers with the aim of fostering collaboration between UK-based and overseas scientists.
The RSE announces 33 exceptional research projects that have been selected at the spring 2023 Research Awards Programme call.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is deeply concerned with the decision of the UK Government to return £1.6bn of science funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to the Treasury.

Case studies

A team of academics, honoured by the Royal Society of Edinburgh with the Mary Somerville Medal, developed the EAVE II health monitoring platform, which played a crucial role in tracking and analysing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Art experts are to discuss a major collection of African art at The Royal Society of Edinburgh this Friday
Marine mammal ecologist Dr Denise Risch uses her RSE Small Research Grant to study the unique acoustic repertoire of Atlantic white-sided dolphins for the first time.

HOW FELLOWS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH