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2027 Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship to Improve Software Practices in Scientific Research
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Publish Date 9/1/2026 Application Deadline 10/5/2026 Opportunity Type Fellowships Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship is a programme aimed at improving and promoting good computational practices across different areas of scientific research and supporting people who work to advance the use of software in research. The programme is intended for researchers, research software engineers, developers, advocates of software best practices, and people working in leadership or professional roles that support research, training, and research infrastructure.

Fellows can implement plans involving training, organising events, building communities of practice, improving research reproducibility, strengthening software skills, and promoting collaboration and communication. Successful applicants also become part of the Fellows community and receive professional mentoring and support.
Details
  • Fellowship duration: 15 months, from 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2028.
  • Number of Fellows: Approximately 20 Fellows are selected each year, including up to 3 international Fellows.
  • Location: The programme is run by the Software Sustainability Institute in the United Kingdom. Applicants based outside the UK can apply through the international pathway. The programme includes online activities, hybrid events, and participation in the annual Collaborations Workshop.
  • Funding: Each Fellow receives a flexible budget of £4,000 to use for activities related to the fellowship and research software.
  • Additional funding: After the fellowship budget has been exhausted, Fellows may apply for up to £1,500 from the Continuing Professional Development Fund, subject to the relevant conditions and approval.
  • Application fee: No application fee is mentioned on the programme page.
  • Application process: The application consists of an online application form and a six-minute recorded presentation with a voice-over.
  • Video requirements: Applicants are encouraged to spend approximately one minute introducing themselves professionally, one minute explaining what they do, and four minutes presenting their fellowship plan.
  • After shortlisting: Shortlisted candidates are invited to a full online selection day involving group activities designed to assess collaboration and communication skills and the ability to contribute to discussions and event planning.
  • Important dates: Shortlisted candidates are announced on 3 November 2026, the online selection day takes place on 12 November 2026, and the successful Fellows are publicly announced on 9 December 2026.
  • Language requirements: No specific language test score or language certificate is listed among the published eligibility requirements. However, international applicants are expected to demonstrate their ability to address challenges such as different time zones and language barriers within their fellowship plans.
  • Application support: Applicants can request assistance and communicate with current Fellows for advice on preparing their applications.
  • Possible activities: Fellows may organise training workshops, build communities of practice, organise events, attend conferences and workshops, gather information about research communities' software needs, and participate in policy initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
  • The programme is open to people at different professional and academic stages, from PhD students and early-career professionals to mid-career researchers, professors, and research software engineering leaders.
  • Applicants do not have to be academic researchers. Professionals working in services that support training, open research, or research infrastructure may also apply.
  • No formal qualifications in software development or software engineering are required.
  • Applicants for the UK pathway must be based in the United Kingdom or have a formal affiliation with a UK-based institution or office.
  • Applicants based outside the UK may apply for the limited international places.
  • International applicants must explain how their fellowship plan will contribute to international collaboration, or how their culture, perspective, or technical approaches could benefit the UK research culture.
  • Applicants can come from any field, with particular interest in applicants working on topics aligned with UKRI's strategic priorities, such as a green future, a safe and resilient world, improving outcomes for communities, health, ageing and wellbeing, and tackling infections.
  • The programme is aimed at people interested in software in scientific research. Examples include researchers who use or develop software tools, developers who create tools for researchers, research software engineers, advocates of best practices, and leaders of research projects or institutions that depend on software.
  • No specific age requirement is stated in the published 2027 eligibility criteria.
  • No specific academic discipline is required.
  • No minimum number of years of professional experience is required.
  • No specific language certificate is required according to the published eligibility criteria.
  • Applicants must have a clear plan describing what they want to achieve during the fellowship period, and the plan must align with the objectives of the programme.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Flexible financial support of £4,000 for each Fellow over the 15-month fellowship period.
  • Additional funding of up to £1,500 may be available through the Continuing Professional Development Fund, subject to the relevant conditions.
  • Professional mentoring through a mentorship programme designed to develop professional skills and increase Fellows' impact.
  • Membership in an international community of Fellows and people interested in software sustainability and scientific research.
  • Participation in collective learning activities, monthly community calls, and study groups.
  • Participation in the 2027 Collaborations Workshop, with registration, travel, and accommodation provided by the Institute. These costs are not deducted from the Fellow's £4,000 budget.
  • Opportunities to develop communication, leadership, collaboration, and community-building skills.
  • The opportunity to organise training workshops, events, and initiatives related to research software using the fellowship budget, subject to approval.
  • The opportunity to build a professional network with researchers, software engineers, developers, and leaders in research software.
  • Continued connection and support from the Fellows community after the end of the 15-month period; the programme states that Fellows maintain their relationship with the Institute after the initial fellowship period.