The Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships provide an opportunity for outstanding international research leaders from around the world to take a 12 month period of sabbatical leave in a UK university or research institution to foster international collaborative links, enriching scientific research in the host organisation and the wider UK science base.

The fellowship can be held full time for one year or flexibly over two years.

The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships are to:

• Enable UK Universities and Research Institutions to attract outstanding international researchers in key strategic areas to the UK from overseas
• Enable the Visiting Fellow and the host UK organisation to develop ongoing collaborative research links, share ideas and practice

Research must be within the Royal Society's remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. A full list is available at the Royal Society website.

Candidates can request up to £125,000.

Funding can be used flexibly by the Visiting Fellow during the sabbatical period and can cover:

• Bursary for Visiting Fellows of up to £80,000 per annum full time (or pro-rated if held part-time), although this could be supplemented at the discretion of the host organisation
• Research expenses including consumables, travel, small pieces of equipment of up to £10,000
• Other appropriate and justified costs (including for travel and subsistence)

There will be approximately 8-11 awards (depending on value of awards) available each year.

This scheme is aimed at exceptional international researchers of all nationalities at the peak of their career as well as those established leading researchers whose career is on a steep upward trajectory and who wish to undertake a 12 month sabbatical period (full-time or flexibly over 24 months) at an eligible UK academic institution.

Nominated researchers must have received a firm offer to take effect from the start of the appointment.

2022 R2 applications must be submitted by the closing date of 23 March 2022 (15:00 GMT).

2022 R3 is scheduled to open to applications on 18 May 2022 until 13 July 2022 (15:00 BST).

Applications can only be submitted online using the Royal Society's FlexiGrant management system.

To complete and submit the application form, the lead applicant is required to provide supporting statements or references from three individuals (including two nominated personal referees and their Head of Department).

All applications must be approved by the UK Host Organisation and the applicant's departmental support must be completed before making a submission.