Stephen Hawking Fellowships launched

Umbrella funding body UK Research and Innovation has launched the first call of a £15-million funding scheme set up in memory of cosmologist Stephen Hawking.

First announced in June 2018, the Stephen Hawking Fellowships will support up to 50 postdoctoral scientists in theoretical physics through five annual calls between 2019 and 2024.

The scheme will provide up to four years’ funding for fellows with a strong passion for curiosity-driven science who seek to challenge current assumptions and inspire the public through their work, UKRI said on 7 May. It will be jointly delivered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.