Becoming a Fellow

RSE Fellows have a fundamental role to play in enabling the RSE to deliver on its mission of ‘Knowledge made Useful’ and acceptance of Fellowship implies a strong commitment to the objectives of the RSE (to inspire, engage, provide expertise and promote) and a willingness to devote time and effort to its work whether at a local, national or international level.

We have around 1600 Fellows. The Fellowship is split into four broad sectors, covering the full range of physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business and public life. This range of expertise within the Fellowship means that we are well-placed to respond to and provide advice on a wide range of issues.

There are three key criteria against which candidates will be assessed and which demonstrate the excellence we seek. These are:

  • Outstanding achievement;
  • Professional standing and;
  • Societal contribution.

Further Information

Nominations open in March and close in May each year: The assessment process is carried out from July to end November and the final list of candidates approved by the RSE Council at its December meeting. Proposed new Fellows are then put to a ballot of the Fellowship. Successful candidates will be informed in the Spring.

If a candidate is not successful in the first year, their nomination will automatically be considered for another two years unless it is withdrawn. Proposers will be asked to provide a new version of the application including relevant updates and are strongly encouraged to work with the candidate to do so.

Fellows, Corresponding Fellows and Honorary Fellows are elected each year. Around 50 Fellows are elected each year, together with up to 10 Corresponding Fellows and up to 4 Honorary Fellows.

Please read the guidance provided before making a nomination. Any questions should be directed to the RSE Fellowship team (email below).

Please note that the deadline for new and updated nominations for Fellowship elections has been extended to 18 June 2021. If you may require a further extension for a specific reason, please email the Fellowship team on [email protected]

COVID-19 Update

All nominations:
We are aware that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on many people’s work over the last year. We encourage proposers and candidates to explain any gaps, reduction in output etc. so that the Selection Committees can take this into consideration.

Continuing nominations:
Normally candidates are considered for three years, with no option to put a nomination on hold. However recognising the impact of COVID-19, we are offering the option to put a nomination on hold for one year. Please inform the Fellowship team if you would like your nomination to be put on hold and not considered this year.

Please note the process will be different this year. The below forms are provided for guidance and preparation only. No documents should be submitted by email.

We are implementing a new online submission system this year. While we finalise the system, we are making these documents available so candidates, proposers and assessors can start producing the content for the nomination. The content will then need to be submitted via the online system. Fellows will be informed as soon as the system is available for use.

The online process will comprise:
• An online version of the below Nomination Form
• Upload of candidate’s CV document
• Upload of completed ‘Candidate’s Declaration’
• Online versions of the Assessors’ Forms

Completed nominations should be submitted by 18 June 2021. If you may require an extension for a specific reason, please contact the Fellowship Team.

We would ask that nominees please also complete the Equal Opportunities form, which will be available via the online system.

The Fellowship Team will provide full instructions on how to complete the online submission process when this is available for use.

If you have any questions about the process or require any assistance, email the Fellowship team on [email protected]

Please find below the guide forms for the 2021 deadline.

Nomination and Assessor Forms

Nomination Guidance & Application Form 2021 – All Categories of Fellowship (Word, 9 pages)

Assessor Guidance & Form 2021 – All Categories of Fellowship (Word, 5 pages)

Candidate Declaration Form 2021 – Not required for Honorary Candidates (Word, 1 page)

Additional Guidance Documents

Election Process (PDF, 4 pages)

Criteria for Election (PDF, 4 pages)

The Fellowship is split into four broad sectors, covering the full range of physical and life sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, education, professions, industry, business and public life. This range of expertise within the Fellowship means that we are well-placed to respond to a wide range of issues, and provide advice and expertise on a wide range of issues.

Each Sector Group is represented by a Vice-President, and each discipline area is represented by a Sectional Committee, comprised of Fellows of the RSE, which considers the Fellowship nominations in that area.

GROUP A: Life Sciences
A1: Biomedical and Cognitive Sciences
A2: Clinical Sciences
A3: Organismal and Environmental Biology
A4: Cell and Molecular Biology

GROUP B: Physical, Engineering and Informatic Sciences
B1: Physics and Astronomy
B2: Earth Sciences and Chemistry
B3: Engineering
B4: Informatics, Mathematics and Statistics

GROUP C: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
C1: Language, Literature and History
C2: Philosophy, Theology and Law
C3: History, Theory and Practice of the Creative and Performing Arts
C4: Economics and Social Sciences

GROUP D: Business, Public Service and Public Engagement
D1: Public Engagement and Understanding
D2: Professional, Educational and Public Sector Leadership
D3: Private Sector Leadership