New Independent Investigator grant
Nutrition
This grant is to help newly appointed researchers establish their careers as independent investigators in human nutrition, animal nutrition or crop science.
Rank Prize aims to support researchers at key points in their career.
The New Independent Investigator grant is designed to support researchers in the UK who have gained their first appointment to an independent research position.
The grant (up to £25,000) may be used to carry out pilot studies that help researchers establish their research niche and that will enhance their competitiveness for future, larger grant applications.
To be eligible to apply, you should have a PhD, or equivalent, and be within two years of appointment to your first independent research position at the time of the deadline. Allowances will be made for career breaks and for caring responsibilities. We will consider applications from clinicians in an academic clinical post or supported by an appropriate fellowship. Please note that applicants should be in receipt of no greater than £250,000 of current grant funding at the time of the deadline.
The award may be used to purchase equipment, for salary support for an assistant, for research consumables, for access to biobanks/datasets or for other research services.
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 14 September 2026. Please note that we can’t consider incomplete or late applications.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by members of Rank Prize’s Nutrition Committee on Wednesday 11 November 2026. These interviews will be held in person in London, so applicants must be available to attend on this date.
If you have any questions or require assistance with your application please contact enquiries@rankprize.org.
Please read the full Terms and Conditions before submitting an application.
I was awarded the New Independent Investigator grant right at the start of my independent research career […]. It gave me a huge confidence boost! It accelerated the trajectory of my career to such an extent that I’ve [now] been awarded much larger research grants. I think I can safely say that without the Rank Prize grant, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Professor Katie Field Professor of Plant-Soil Processes, University of Sheffield
How to apply
Please click Apply to complete the online form.
Deadline: 23:59 on Monday 14 September 2026.
FAQs
I don’t have a lectureship, but can I apply?
Yes! The competition is open to researchers in the UK who have recently gained their first appointment to an independent research position. This role can be a lectureship, but it doesn’t have to be.
I have been in my first independent research role for over two years. Can I still apply?
That depends. We can make allowances if you have taken time out for a career break or for caring responsiblities. Please detail this in your application form.
If you haven’t taken time out, there is a limited amount of flexiblity. To be eligible to apply, you should be within two years of appointment to your first independent research position at the time of the deadline (14 September 2026). However, we do offer a two-week grace period, meaning that we will consider applications from researchers who have been in their role for two years + two weeks at the time of the deadline. If you’ve been in your role for longer than this, with no extentuating circumstances, unfortunately we won’t be able to consider your application.
I’ve already had some success with grant funding. Can I still apply?
To be eligible, applicants should be in receipt of no greater than £250,000 of current grant funding at the time of the deadline.