Who it covers
The Royal Society covers the natural and medical sciences, but the published list decides
The Royal Society assesses active researchers in the natural and medical sciences. The British Academy covers the humanities and social sciences, and the Royal Academy of Engineering covers engineering. Some areas, such as computer science, AI and parts of engineering, appear on both the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering lists, so check your sub-discipline on the published list.
- Physics, astronomy, chemistry and mathematics
- Biology, genetics, immunology, ecology and agricultural science
- Physiology, neuroscience and experimental psychology
- Computer science, including AI and machine learning
- Earth sciences and climate science
- Clinical research in listed specialties, such as oncology and public health
Four routes
Which of the four routes fits you?
Three routes are fast track and depend on something you already hold. The fourth, peer review, is for everyone else and is judged on your record.
Eligibility checks
Before peer review, you must pass two checks: active researcher and PhD or equivalent
An active researcher has a sustained track record of research production in their field, in academia, industry or government research. Outputs such as publications, prizes, funding, patents, licences and spinouts all count. Without a PhD, you need at least three years of consolidated research in which you were the intellectual drive behind a project, with strong outputs.
1Is your discipline in the natural or medical sciences, on this endorsing body's published list of disciplines?
2Are you an active researcher today, in an academic, industry or government research institution?
3Do you hold a PhD, or have at least 3 years of research that you led, with strong outputs?
4Could an eminent person resident in the UK, who knows your work, write a letter for you?
Answer the 4 questions to see where you stand.
A quick self-check, not an assessment. It does not predict any outcome.
Talent or Promise
Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise: which category should you choose?
On peer review you choose the category. Exceptional Talent is for leaders in their field. Exceptional Promise is for potential leaders, typically near the start of their career and on a steep trajectory, and being at an early stage of your career is a mandatory check for Promise.
- There is no minimum number of years for Promise.
- Talent: assessors consider prestigious prizes, significant funding in the past 10 years and whether you are seen as a leader.
- Promise: assessors consider your potential to lead, early-career prizes, and your contribution relative to your career stage.
Letters
Your letters carry real weight, so plan them early
Exceptional Promise needs one letter of personal recommendation. Exceptional Talent needs that letter plus a second letter giving an objective assessment of your reputation, from a different person. The endorsing body can refuse the application, or ask for more information and delay it, if it is not shown that the author is a credible referee.
- Letter 1: from an eminent person resident in the UK, with internationally recognised expertise, who knows your work.
- Letter 2 (Talent only): from a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field, such as a professor or head of department.
- Each letter must be written for this application, not a general reference.
- Each letter: up to three sides of A4, excluding the author's credentials and contact details.
- Send each author's CV, and have letters signed, dated and on headed paper.
Assessors' view
What do the assessors look for?
Assessors look for strong evidence of originality, creativity, independence and intellectual leadership. They weigh your track record and international standing, the strength of your letters, and the benefit of your presence in the UK. They also expect a clear and credible plan for what you will do in the UK.
- Show what you led, not only what you took part in.
- Explain the significance of key papers, grants and patents.
- Set out concrete UK plans, such as labs, collaborators or projects.
Want us to look at your own evidence against these rules?
Book a free 30-minute callDocuments
What to send for peer review, and what to leave out
Peer review is judged only on the required evidence, so a focused pack beats a thick one. A PhD certificate is advised only if your PhD was awarded in the last 12 months. Do not send an employment contract in place of a letter, as it does not contain the required information.
- The Stage 1 form, including your personal statement.
- A CV of up to three sides of A4 covering your career and publications.
- Full bibliographic references for your key publications, with publisher and URL where available.
- Full references and countries for any patents.
- Not needed: copies of publications, degree certificates, or conference and training certificates.
Timing and refusal
How long it takes, and what happens if you are refused
On peer review, Stage 1 can take up to eight weeks from when the Home Office receives your application, and the Royal Society usually decides within five weeks. Fast-track routes usually get a decision within 14 working days. If you are refused, you can ask for a review within 28 days, but you cannot add new evidence.
- A review checks whether evidence was properly looked at or the process went wrong.
- There is no fee for a review, and you are told by email within 28 days if it has been successful.
- Stage 2 is a separate application to the Home Office after endorsement.
Related guides
Keep reading
Guides applicants usually read next on this topic.
Which research endorsing body covers you, and which route?
Find out how the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy and UKRI compare, and when the UKRI endorsed funder route applies instead of peer review.
Read related guideWho should write my Global Talent recommendation letters?
Find out how many letters each endorsing body asks for, who qualifies to write them and the mistakes that get letters set aside.
Read related guideGlobal Talent endorsement documents: a checklist for each endorsing body
Each endorsing body has its own document rules, from page limits to who can write your letters.
Read related guideApplying from outside the UK. If you work outside the UK, peer review is still open to you without a job offer, but your first letter must come from someone resident in the UK, so explain the scale and selectivity of your national grants and prizes so UK assessors can judge them.
Article FAQ
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
Do I need a UK job offer for the Royal Society?
No. Peer review and the fellowships route do not need one; only the appointments route and the endorsed funders route need a UK post or host.
Can I apply without a PhD?
Yes, if you have at least three years of consolidated research in which you were the intellectual drive behind a project, with strong outputs. Work done during a PhD does not count.
Must both letter authors live in the UK?
No. The first author must be resident in the UK; the second, for Talent only, must be a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field.
Can I reuse a reference letter written for a job?
No. Each letter must be written specifically for this Global Talent application.
Will the Royal Society check my documents before I apply?
No. The endorsing bodies do not review documents in advance and cannot say how likely you are to be endorsed.
What does the endorsement stage cost?
The endorsement stage costs £561, paid to the Home Office when you apply. The Royal Society does not charge a separate fee.
Royal Society peer review
Not sure if your record fits peer review?
We can talk through your discipline, route, category and letter authors on a free call, and show you where your evidence is thin before you submit.