Applications are open for the Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship 2027, a professional fellowship for people working to improve the way software is developed, used and supported in research.
The programme is broader than its name might initially suggest. Applicants do not necessarily need to be software developers. The Institute for Research Software says the fellowship is open to people across research disciplines and career stages, including researchers, research software engineers, professors and people involved in research training or infrastructure.
Applications for the 2027 Fellowship close on October 5, 2026.
About the Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship
The Fellowship Programme is run by the Institute for Research Software to promote good computational and software practices across research. Well, the programme selects around 20 Fellows each year, including up to three international Fellows.
Successful Fellows receive a £4,000 budget to organise or attend activities that promote good software practice. They also become part of the wider SSI community and receive mentoring and opportunities for collaboration. The official fellowship dates for this cycle run from January 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
£4,000 Fellowship budget
Each successful Fellow receives a £4,000 budget to support activities connected with improving research software practices, and this can be used to organise or participate in activities that help promote better software practices in research.
Mentorship
Fellows are matched with mentors who can support their professional development and help them increase their impact within the research software community.
Community activities
Fellows participate in community calls, study groups, cohort-based learning, and other activities.
Collaborations Workshop
The programme also provides opportunities to take part in the annual Collaborations Workshop, helping Fellows connect with others interested in research software and computational research.
International opportunities
The 2027 programme includes up to three places for international applicants. International applicants who are not based in the UK or affiliated with a UK institution need to explain how their proposed activities support international collaboration or bring a valuable perspective to UK research culture.
Who Can Apply?
One of the interesting things about this fellowship is its broad eligibility. The programme is open to applicants at different career stages, including:
- PhD candidates
- Junior research software engineers
- Researchers
- Professors
- Research computing professionals
- People involved in research training
- People working with research infrastructure
- Professionals who support research software without having a formal software background
The Institute specifically states that applicants can come from any background if their work connects with improving computational practice or supporting research.
What Makes a Strong Applicant?
This fellowship is not simply looking for someone who knows how to code.
A strong application should demonstrate that the applicant cares about improving research practices and can use the fellowship to create meaningful change in their research community.
For example, an applicant might be involved in:
- Research reproducibility
- Research software engineering
- Data or computational workflows
- Software training
- Research infrastructure
- Open science
- Improving software practices within a research group
The key is being able to explain what you want to accomplish and why it matters.
Application Requirements
The application consists of two main parts:
- An online application form
- A six-minute screencast video
The video should introduce who you are, what you do, and what you plan to achieve through the fellowship.
However, if shortlisted, applicants are invited to an Online Selection Day, where they take part in group activities and are assessed on how they contribute and engage with others.
Apply for the Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship 2027
Here are the steps to apply for the fellowship program;
Step 1: Review the eligibility criteria
Make sure your work connects with research software, computational practice, research infrastructure, or related activities.
Step 2: Think about your Fellowship plan
Before opening the application form, consider what you would actually like to achieve as an SSI Fellow.
Step 3: Complete the application form
Provide the requested information about yourself, your work, your research environment, and your proposed Fellowship activities.
Step 4: Prepare the screencast
Record the required six-minute video explaining who you are, what you do, and what you hope to accomplish.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline
Applications close on October 5, 2026.
Step 6: Prepare for selection
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Online Selection Day on November 12, 2026.
Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship 2027 Key Dates
- Applications opened: August 10, 2026
- Applications close: October 5, 2026
- Shortlist confirmed: November 3, 2026
- Online Selection Day: November 12, 2026
- Fellows announced: December 9, 2026
- Fellowship period: January 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028
Official Fellowship Page
Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship 2027 – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Software Sustainability Institute Fellowship fully funded?
It is not a traditional fully funded degree scholarship. Also, successful Fellows receive a £4,000 flexible Fellowship budget and access to the programme’s mentoring, learning and community opportunities.
Do I need to be a software engineer?
No, the programme is open to people from different backgrounds, including people who support research, training or infrastructure without a formal software background.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes, the 2027 programme offers up to three places for international applicants.
Can PhD students apply?
Yes, the official programme specifically lists PhD candidates among potential applicants.
How much funding does each Fellow receive?
Each Fellow receives a £4,000 budget for activities that promote good software practice.
What is required during the application?
Applicants complete an application form and submit a six-minute screencast video.
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