Co-funded by

Wellbeing of Women-Royal College of Midwives Partnership Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (PRF) provide single candidates with up to £30,000 for research lasting up to three years. Awards may include new and directly incurred research costs. The research must be undertaken in the UK and applicants must be midwives and full members of the RCM.

Awards are intended to support research-active lecturers, or lecturer equivalent level, to gather data and strengthen their bids for longer-term substantive funding. These awards are open to researchers who have been awarded an MD or PhD within the last 7 years and are employed by the NHS, HEI or on a postdoctoral research fellowship. For midwives who don’t have an existing research time commitment within their current role, funds may be requested for a contribution towards salary.

Fellowships are usually for research that seeks to improve the practice of midwifery and maternity services, including postnatal care, but applications will be considered for basic science, clinical, and translational research across any area of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health, that seeks to improve the health of women, girls and babies.

Evidence must be provided of previous research experience and future research career intentions. Applications may be made to support projects that are already in progress or for a new project, provided a substantial element of the project is carried out during the course of the Fellowship. Research projects must be capable of being brought to a conclusion within the duration of the Fellowship.

The RCM have recently published their top 10 research priorities for midwifery practice and maternity care, and encourage applications in those areas.

In line with RCM's Race Matters campaign and our intent to increase involvement and engagement from and support to midwives who identify as Black, Asian or an ethnic minority, we welcome applications from midwives from these communities and/or whose project aims to improve the health outcomes from people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.

2026 Call timeline

Call launch: Wednesday 22 April 2026

Submission deadline: Wednesday 22 July 2026 at 1pm

Application outcome: December 2026

Awards start: January/February 2027

How to apply

Download the PRF application forms and guidance below. Before applying, please read the grant guidance.

WoW Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Application Form 2026

WoW Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Guidance for Applicants 2026

WoW_Research Questions for Non-standard Animals

If you have any queries, please contact the Wellbeing of Women research team at [email protected] or call 020 3697 6346.