What is a Daphne Jackson Fellowship?
The UKRI Daphne Jackson Fellowship offers a supported route back into research for talented researchers who have taken an extended career break.
The fellowship combines a challenging research project with a personalised programme of retraining and professional development, enabling fellows to rebuild confidence, update skills and re-establish a sustainable research career.
At The University of Manchester, Daphne Jackson Fellows join a supportive, inclusive research environment and benefit from tailored academic mentoring and access to world-leading facilities and expertise.
The fellowship is delivered by the Daphne Jackson Trust, in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), host institutions and external sponsors.
Key information
Status: Applications are open year-round.
Next call: Applications can be submitted at any time. Internal deadlines may apply, please check with your potential department.
Eligibility:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent research experience
- Have taken a career break of at least two years from a paid research position
- Career break taken for family, health or caring reasons
- Open to researchers from all disciplines
- UK residency and right to work in the UK for at least 12 months, at the time of application.
Funding:
- Part-time fellowship (typically over two years)
- Includes salary, research costs and retraining support.
Before you apply: To help you develop a competitive proposal, we encourage prospective applicants to contact us well ahead of the funder’s deadline. Early conversations can:
- Identify potential academic sponsors
- Ensure your research vision aligns with Manchester’s strengths.
Benefits of the Daphne Jackson Fellowship
The Daphne Jackson Fellowship is designed to support researchers returning to research in a flexible and structured way.
Manchester supports researchers at all career stages, providing advice on fellowship schemes, funding applications and support for childcare or other responsibilities. This commitment to flexible, inclusive research environments is central to our support for Daphne Jackson Fellows.
As a Fellow at Manchester, you’ll benefit from:
- A supportive environment tailored to returning researchers
- A personalised retraining and development programme
- A challenging, well-defined research project
- Academic mentoring and departmental support
- Access to world-leading facilities and research communities
- Guidance on future funding, career progression and long-term opportunities.
Application process
Confirm that you meet the Daphne Jackson Fellowship eligibility criteria before developing an application.
To apply, you must:
- Have taken a career break of two or more years
- Have taken that break for family, health or caring reasons
- Be seeking to return to a research career
- Hold a PhD or equivalent research experience.
The fellowship is open to researchers from all disciplines.
Applicants apply via the Daphne Jackson Trust, either:
- In response to advertised fellowship opportunities, or
- By contacting the Trust directly if you already have a host institution or academic sponsor in mind.
We encourage prospective applicants to contact the Trust and The University of Manchester early to discuss:
- Your research background and career break
- Your intended research project
- Potential host departments and academic sponsors
Early engagement helps ensure alignment, support and sufficient time for internal processes.
Once you have discussed your proposal with the Trust and confirmed host support, you can prepare your application for submission.
Applications are submitted directly to the Daphne Jackson Trust in line with their guidance.
A typical application may include:
- A research proposal
- A retraining and development plan
- CV and career history
- Details of your career break
- Host institution support statement.
Please note that internal selection or review processes may apply within Faculties.
Applications are assessed by the Daphne Jackson Trust and funding partners.
This may include:
- Eligibility and proposal review
- Interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Successful candidates will then agree start dates and arrangements with their host department.
What our fellows say
“My Daphne Jackson Fellowship gave me the opportunity to restart my research career after some time away from academia. Alongside retraining and developing my skills and experience, I was also able to build up new publications and position myself well to continue in research after completing the Fellowship, which I have done while staying at The University of Manchester on an EPSRC research grant.”
Dr Samuel Powley / UKRI Daphne Jackson Fellow, 2022–2025
Frequently asked questions
Search Research Explorer to identify a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposed project, then contact them directly to discuss your application.
Prospective applicants receive support identifying an academic sponsor, refining their research proposal and navigating internal review. You’ll also have access to guidance on developing a competitive fellowship application, feedback from senior academics, and information about facilities and research groups you can incorporate into your proposal.
Eligibility criteria vary between funding schemes. Most require a strong academic track record commensurate to your career stage and circumstances. Check the scheme's criteria.
Further questions? Contact us
Fellowship scheme questions
For queries about eligibility, funding or application processes, contact the Daphne Jackson Trust:
- Email: djmft@surrey.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0) 1483 689166
Manchester-specific queries
For questions about internal processes, departmental support or preparing your application, contact FSE's Research Development and Innovation team.