The Fellowships Expression of Interest application is now open

09/09/2025

Cambridge NeuroWorks is proud to introduce the Cambridge NeuroWorks Fellowship Programme, offering two transformative fellowship streams within this pioneering initiative. In collaboration with the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), we aim to address the societal and economic challenges posed by neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Together, we seek scalable, cutting-edge neurotechnology solutions, building a diverse, innovative community from scientific, engineering, clinical, and industry backgrounds. 

Our mission is to drive transformative impact by fostering a globally influential neurotech ecosystem. With engagement events, virtual communities, What-If ideation sessions, fellowships, proof-of-concept funding, and more, we aim to change the future of brain health through innovative technology. 

As an ARIA Activation Partner, we focus on accelerating the development of next-generation neurotechnologies targeting critical conditions such as depression, dementia, chronic pain, epilepsy, and nervous system injuries. Cambridge NeuroWorks serves as a hub for original thinkers, offering the funding, space, and mentorship necessary to develop groundbreaking ideas. We seek innovators from across the UK, from all backgrounds, with bold concepts that could transform brain health. Fellows will receive connections within the Cambridge ecosystem and enjoy resources that enable rapid testing and scaling of ideas. 

Who we're seeking 

Our Fellows often come from backgrounds in science, engineering, clinical practice, and industry – but there’s no single pathway in. What matters most is your ability to think boldly, explore transformative ideas, and contribute innovative solutions addressing the pressing challenges within neurotechnology. You don’t need to identify as part of the “neurotech” community to apply – we’re looking for people with the right mix of vision, capability, and commitment. 

We welcome applicants whose lived experience, professional insight, or creative thinking could be empowered by this opportunity in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. We need people with the right credentials to deliver on their Fellowship plan but there are multiple ways to demonstrate that you’re the right person to take forward a bold idea. 

We encourage applications from: 

  • Those with hands-on experience solving real-world problems, whether in healthcare, technology, or related fields 
  • People who can explore speculative ideas or have practical insights to refine them for transformative impact 
  • Engineers, scientists, academics, medical professionals, and industry practitioners at any career stage. 

How the Fellowships work 

We’re offering Cambridge NeuroWorks Fellowships, with two complementary pathways catering to varying stages of idea maturity. Fellows will be allocated a host institution, including Babraham Research Campus, most suitable for their project, enabling them to pivot and innovate as their hypotheses evolve. 

Pathway 1:  

Blue Sky Fellowship  

Our 12-month Blue Sky programme supports speculative ideas, empowering Fellows to explore multiple potential solutions. This pathway is for individuals who need the freedom to fail fast and retry bold concepts with transformative potential. 

  • Supports exploration of bold, high-risk ideas with transformative potential. 
  • Includes a 3-month scoping and ideation phase to refine project goals and pathways. 
  • Encourages development of one idea in greater detail by the end of the Fellowship. 
  • Focuses on individuals, enabling them to iterate on multiple potential solutions. 

 

Pathway 2:  

Frontier Fellowship  

Our Frontier Fellowship offers targeted support to advance early-stage concepts. This pathway focuses on scaling ideas for real-world application, with commercial insights, clinical input, and resources to refine projects for impact. 

  • Designed for ideas with proof-of-concept, ready for development and scaling. 
  • Commercial wrap-around, and early clinical input to prepare projects for success. 
  • Focuses on refining one or more project concepts for practical application. 
  • Positions Fellows to drive impact in their localities post-Fellowship. 

 

The award of a fellowship grant will provide:  

£57,000 living expenses 

£40,000 cost of consumables  

£20,000 cover bench fees at host institution  

 

  • World-class Entrepreneurial training delivered through several initiatives and mentorship schemes that are most aligned to the stage of development of ideas – for example, Frontier Fellows will participate in the Accelerate@Babraham programme; 
  • Opportunity for formal association with a Cambridge University College; 
  • Opportunity for membership of the Cambridge Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Research Centre. 

What you are committing to 

  • Relocating to Cambridge for full-time participation. 
  • Completing a 12-month programme as a self-employed Independent Fellow. 
  • Starting no later than 1 May 2026. 

Fellowship application criteria 

  • UK-based applicants with the right to remain, or non-UK applicants who can relocate to the UK. 
  • You do not need to have a PhD to apply but those undertaking one must submit their thesis before April 2026 to be eligible to start our programme.