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The Royal Society · Natural and medical sciences
Make your research case clear to Royal Society reviewers
For active researchers in the natural and medical sciences. Pick your route, then check your fit.
- Discipline on the Royal Society listChecking
- Route chosen: fast track or peer reviewNext
- Active researcher recordNext
- Talent or Promise decidedNext
- UK-based letter authors confirmedNext
What we build with you, step by step
60-second check
Are you a fit for The Royal Society?
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.
The criteria, in plain English
What The Royal Society looks for
Tap each point. The official wording is one click away.
Your discipline must be on the Royal Society list
Your discipline, not your job title, decides which endorsing body assesses your work.
Read the official wording
“For all other applications within this field, you should use the list below to decide which endorsing body, if any, covers your particular area of discipline.”GOV.UK, Disciplines covered by the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities and medicine
You must be an active researcher
The Immigration Rules require a current research role in an academic, industry or government research institution.
Read the official wording
“GTE 8.1. An applicant for endorsement in the field of science, engineering, humanities, social science and medicine must be an active researcher in an academic, industry or government research institution.”GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent
You must hold a PhD or equivalent research experience
Without a PhD, you need at least three years of research that you led, with strong outputs.
Read the official wording
“Equivalent research experience to a PhD means significant time spent leading and undertaking research. This would entail at least three years consolidated research time where you have been the intellectual drive behind a project and achieved strong demonstrable outputs from your research experience.”Royal Society, Frequently asked questions
Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise
On peer review you choose the category: Talent for established leaders, Promise for potential leaders.
Read the official wording
“Applicants can choose to be considered under 'exceptional talent' (for leaders in their field) or 'exceptional promise' (for potential leaders in their field). This route is not fast-track. You can apply with or without a job offer.”Royal Society, Route 4: Peer review
Exceptional Promise is for early-career researchers
Promise applicants are typically early in their career and progressing quickly, with no minimum number of years set.
Read the official wording
“Applicants who choose to apply under this category will typically be towards the start of their career and on a steep career trajectory.”Royal Society, Frequently asked questions
What peer reviewers look for
Reviewers look for originality, independence and leadership, and a credible plan for your work in the UK.
Read the official wording
“The assessors are looking for compelling evidence demonstrating a high degree of originality, creativity, independence, and intellectual leadership in research and innovation.”Royal Society, Route 4: Peer review
Not sure which of these you meet? In a free 30-minute call we map your work against The Royal Society's criteria.
Map my criteriaThe difference we make
The rules are public. Meeting them is the hard part.
Tap a card to see how we handle the most common reasons The Royal Society cases fall short.
Worried one of these applies to you? We will tell you plainly, before you spend time and fees on an application.
Check my caseRoutes
4 ways in. Pick the one that fits.
Academic and research appointments (fast track)
For people who have accepted an eligible research or leadership position at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute. The job must require a PhD or equivalent research experience as essential.
Individual fellowships (fast track)
For holders of a fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society, held currently or within the last five years. The fellowship itself decides whether you are treated as Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise.
Endorsed funders (fast track, run by UKRI)
For researchers and specialists named, or whose job title is named, in a successful grant from an endorsed funder, hosted or employed by a UKRI-approved organisation. UK Research and Innovation decides these applications, not the Royal Society.
Peer review (standard endorsement)
Experts in your field assess your evidence under Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise. This route is not fast track, and you can apply with or without a job offer.
As an academic, I was overwhelmed by the peer review requirements. The team guided me through every step. My endorsement came through in 6 weeks.
Your case, led by the founder
Mihir Thaker
Every case is planned and reviewed by Mihir, against The Royal Society's published criteria.
The detail
Everything else, when you need it
Who The Royal Society covers
- Physiology, anatomy and neuroscience, including experimental psychology
- Astronomy, physics, and theoretical and applied physics
- Chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular, cell and structural biology
- Mathematics and computer science, including artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Listed engineering, technology, instrumentation and materials science sub-disciplines
- Earth sciences, climate science and environmental physical sciences
- Genetics, immunology, microbiology, ecology, evolution and agricultural science
- Clinical research in the listed specialties, such as cardiology, oncology, psychiatry and public health
Not covered, or assessed elsewhere
- Non-academic arts and culture, which is referred to Arts Council England
- Non-academic digital technology, which is referred to Tech Nation
- The humanities and social sciences, which the British Academy reviews
- Social science psychology, human geography and demography, which sit on the British Academy list
- Academic support and professional services roles, which are not eligible on the academic and research appointments route
What you submit
- A completed Stage 1 endorsement application form, which must include your personal statement
- A CV of no more than three sides of A4 setting out your career and publication history
- A letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK, with the author's CV
- Exceptional Talent only: a second letter giving an objective assessment of your reputation in the field, with the author's CV
- Full bibliographic references for your most significant publications, with the publisher and a URL where available, and full references and countries for any patents
- Copies of publications, degree certificates, contracts and award certificates are not required; a PhD certificate is only advised if awarded within the last 12 months
- Fast-track routes instead need route documents, such as a job description and HR statement of guarantee, or a fellowship award letter
Letters
Exceptional Promise needs one letter of personal recommendation, from an eminent person resident in the UK who knows your work. Exceptional Talent needs that letter plus a second, from a different eminent person who is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field and who gives an objective assessment. Each letter must be written for this application, run to no more than three sides of A4, and come with the author's CV.
“The letter of personal recommendation must be from an eminent person resident in the UK with internationally recognised expertise in your field of research or innovation.”Royal Society, Route 4: Peer review
Common pitfalls
- Do not rely on clinical practice alone, the final stages of a PhD, or work done during PhD studies as equivalent research experience. The Royal Society states that none of these qualifies.
- Do not submit a general reference letter or a letter written for another purpose. Both letters must be written specifically for this application.
- Show that each letter author is a credible referee. The endorsing body may refuse the application, or request more information and delay it, if this is not evidenced.
- On the appointments route, check the job description. A PhD listed as desirable, or as one option alongside another postgraduate degree, makes the role ineligible.
- Do not send an employment contract in place of the required documents. The Royal Society states that a contract does not contain the required information.
- Set out a clear and credible plan for your work in the UK. Reviewers look for how you will contribute to UK research and innovation excellence.
Official sources and guides
- Royal Society: Global Talent visa overview
- Royal Society: Route 4, peer review
- Royal Society: Frequently asked questions
- GOV.UK: Disciplines covered by the endorsing bodies
- Global Talent endorsement for researchers: Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy or UKRI?
- Global Talent Visa for creative, research and digital professionals: which evidence fits your field?
- Global Talent Visa recommendation letters: who should write them and what they must say
Criteria quoted from the published guidance, retrieved 21 August 2026. Check the official sources before you apply.
Questions
The Royal Society FAQs
Does the Royal Society cover computer science?
Partly. Computer science, including AI and machine learning, sits with the Royal Society, but some engineering and computing areas sit with the Royal Academy of Engineering. Your exact discipline decides which endorsing body assesses you.
Do I need a PhD?
You need a PhD or equivalent experience: at least three years of research that you led, with strong results. This can come from industry or a clinical post with dedicated research time.
Do I need a UK job offer?
Not for peer review or the fellowships route. The appointments and endorsed funder routes do need a role or host at an approved UK organisation.
What does active researcher mean?
A steady track record of research output, such as publications, prizes, funding, patents or spinouts.
How long does a decision take?
Up to 8 weeks on peer review, and usually about 14 working days on the fast-track routes.
Find out where your The Royal Society case stands
A free 30-minute call on your route, your evidence and what is missing.
We are experts in the Stage 1 endorsement application for the UK Global Talent Visa. For immigration advice, please seek the services of an immigration solicitor.