JESUS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Jesus College Cambridge Arts Research Fellowship
full · phd
- ~£32,428 / year (est.)Annual stipend (step 35)
- 2 fellowships per yearStipendiary awards
- 7 eligible subjectsArts and humanities
- Under 5 years research experienceEarly-career focus
- UK and internationalOpen to all nationalities
- Subsidised college housingAccommodation included
At a glance
full
Funding
€38k
Max amount
Sep 7, 2026
Deadline
Open to all nationalities (UK and international)
Country
Jesus College, University of Cambridge
Provider
The Jesus College Arts Research Fellowship is a stipendiary, fixed-term postdoctoral fellowship offered each year by Jesus College at the University of Cambridge for early-career researchers in the arts and humanities. The College awards 2 stipendiary fellowships per cycle, drawing applicants from 7 eligible subjects including Archaeology, Classics, History of Art, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, and Politics. The fellowship supports researchers moving toward academic independence: the annual stipend is set at step 35 of the University salary scale, about £32,428 in the recent cycle, and is accompanied by subsidised college accommodation worth roughly £3,556 per year and a research bench fee of around £12,000 per year for facilities access. Fellows also receive a daily meal at the College, optional pension membership, and contributions toward applicable university fees. Eligibility is limited to candidates with fewer than 5 years of full-time research experience by 1 October 2026. The application window opens in early August 2026 and closes in early September 2026, with online registration and referee reports required. Because the stipend step, accommodation charge, and bench fee are reset each year, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and deadlines on the official Jesus College fellowships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Annual stipend — Stipend set at step 35 of the University of Cambridge salary scale, about ~£32,428 (est.) per year, paid throughout the fellowship term.
- Accommodation support — Subsidised college accommodation valued at roughly ~£3,556 (est.) per year, where available.
- Research bench fee — A research support allowance (bench fee) of approximately ~£12,000 (est.) per year for access to university facilities and materials.
- Daily meals — A complimentary lunch or dinner at the College on each day the kitchens are open.
- Pension and fees — Optional membership of the University pension scheme plus contributions toward applicable university fees.
- Research environment — Full membership of Jesus College and access to University of Cambridge libraries, archives, and research facilities for the fellowship term.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the dedicated Jesus College Junior Research Fellowship portal, which opens in early August for the cycle.
- Register online — Create an account on the official portal at https://jrf.jesus.cam.ac.uk once registration opens in early August 2026.
- Complete the application form — Fill in the online form, including your research proposal and evidence that you meet the early-career eligibility window.
- Upload required documents — Attach your CV, research plan, and any supporting evidence in the formats specified by the portal.
- Arrange referee reports — Ask your referees to submit their recommendation letters directly through the portal before the deadline.
- Submit before the deadline — Complete and submit the full application, including references, before the early-September deadline; incomplete applications are not considered.
Eligibility
QualificationHold an undergraduate degree and be in the final stages of a PhD or have recently completed a PhD (or equivalent).
Research experienceFewer than five years of full-time research experience by 1 October 2026; part-time research and mitigating circumstances are taken into account.
Subject areaResearch must fall within one of the eligible subjects: Archaeology, Classics, History of Art, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, or Politics.
NationalityOpen to both UK and international applicants with no nationality restriction.
Current PhD candidates in their final year are eligible. The early-career window is measured from when full-time research began; confirm how your circumstances are assessed with the College before applying.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities (UK and international)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle~7 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the College on demonstrated research excellence and the candidate's potential to make a significant academic contribution early in their career. Shortlisted candidates are typically invited to interview, and referee reports weigh heavily in the decision. Only complete applications with references received by the deadline are evaluated.
Verified sources
- Jesus College Research Fellowships (official)jesus.cam.ac.ukofficial
- Jesus College Fellowship application portaljrf.jesus.cam.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
Jesus College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1496 on the site of a former Benedictine nunnery. It hosts undergraduates, postgraduates, and fellows across the arts, humanities, and sciences, and supports early-career research through its programme of Junior Research Fellowships in a historic riverside setting.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Jesus College Arts Research Fellowship?
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Early-career researchers of any nationality who hold an undergraduate degree and are in the final stages of a PhD or have recently completed one, with fewer than five years of full-time research experience by 1 October 2026.
Which subjects are eligible?
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Applications are invited in Archaeology, Classics, History of Art, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, and Politics.
How much is the stipend?
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The annual stipend is set at step 35 of the University of Cambridge salary scale, about ~£32,428 (est.) in the recent cycle. Confirm the current step value on the official page.
How many fellowships are awarded?
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Two stipendiary Arts Research Fellowships are awarded each cycle.
Is accommodation provided?
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Yes. Subsidised college accommodation worth roughly ~£3,556 (est.) per year is offered where available.
Is there a research budget?
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Fellows receive a bench fee of approximately ~£12,000 (est.) per year for access to university facilities and research materials.
Can current PhD students apply?
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Yes. Final-year PhD candidates are eligible, as are researchers who have recently completed a PhD.
Can part-time researchers apply?
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Yes. Candidates with part-time research experience may be considered if they still meet the early-career criteria; mitigating circumstances are taken into account.
What is the application deadline?
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The full application, including referee reports, must be submitted by around 7 September 2026 at 5 PM UK time (est.). Confirm the exact date on the official portal.
How do I apply?
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Register and apply online at https://jrf.jesus.cam.ac.uk once registration opens in early August 2026, then upload your documents and arrange your references.
Are meals included?
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Yes. A complimentary lunch or dinner is provided at the College each day the kitchens are open.
Is the fellowship open to international applicants?
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Yes. There is no nationality restriction; both UK and international researchers are welcome to apply.