Eligibility
The scheme is open to applications from researchers, experimental scientists, technical and professional staff working in materials science and engineering at a UK higher education institution. Each application must include a mentor (the applicant) and should include a host (PI, senior researcher, or manager) wherever possible or practical.
Undergraduate or master’s students cannot apply to the scheme. If you are a student interested in participating in a materials science internship, please contact your institution or a suitable project mentor about opportunities they can provide, highlighting this support available through Royce.
Application Process
Initial submissions outlining a proposed project scope and fundamental details around project applicant and host institution must be submitted through this form. Applications will close 19 January 2026 at 09:00. You will not be able to apply after this time.
Applications will be reviewed by the Royce Training Team and successful bids will be awarded based on the following criteria:
- Strength of project proposal
- Relevance to Royce research areas
- Benefit to the student
- Benefit to the mentor or host laboratory
Successful applicants will then be notified and provided with further information about how funding claims can be made in line with their organisation’s processes. Any applications deemed out of scope will be rejected. Feedback on applications can be provided on request.
How are projects run?
Royce places an expectation on the mentor, academic host, and university department to conduct recruitment and provide continued support for undergraduate interns during the projects they host. Royce is unable to assist in recruitment but expects that these guidelines will be adhered to.
Hosts and mentors will need to advertise and recruit for student interns within their own institution, by either directly offering places to students or through existing departmental or school internship schemes. Projects should be open to applications from all eligible undergraduates at the host institution. Consideration must be given to ensure equality, diversity, inclusion, and openness in the recruitment process.
Mentors are expected to work with their interns to explain the extent of the project, establish them in their project area, and help them work alongside other group members through the summer project.
At the end of the summer, all interns, mentors, and hosts are invited to join Royce at a virtual student conference. Interns will have an opportunity to present on their project work and experiences, either composing a poster or delivering a short talk.
Royce will also provide virtual workshops throughout the course of the internship projects to support students with skills and questions beyond the scope of their projects.
How does the funding work?
Royce will reimburse a UK HEI for the incurred cost of an undergraduate’s 30-hour week, 8-week project up to a maximum amount to be confirmed shortly. In 2025 the maximum funding was £3500 (£3800 in London), and this will be adjusted after the government’s autumn budget to account for changes to the national minimum wage. This is the maximum available support from Royce. Longer projects and any further costs of the internship need to be met by the intern’s host institution. Shorter projects will see a pro rata reduction in the maximum value of funds available from Royce.
Royce will contact successful applicants to confirm completion of each internship project and arrange reimbursement of incurred costs directly to the host institution. Royce cannot provide funding for undergraduate internship projects in advance.
Royce support must be wholly used towards the cost of the intern and cannot be used for claims against other costs such as bench fees, equipment access, or consumables, etc.
Hosts must ensure that a financial process for paying the interns they appoint is set up at their own institution before projects begin. This ensures that the intern is paid on time and will help Royce to reconcile support at the end of the scheme.
Key Events
24 November 2025 – Applications open
19 January 2026 – Applications close 09:00am
20-31 January 2026 – Applications reviewed
02 February 2026 – Response to all applications sent
March-May 2026– Students selected for projec ts by successful mentors
17 June 2026 – Kick-off virtual workshop with Royce
Late June/Early September 2026 – Internship projects run. As part of the summer programme, Royce will host several workshops for students to ask questions beyond their research
02 September 2026 – Internship conference
07 September 2026 – Student feedback survey
08 September 2026 onwards – Submit claim with Royce
Current Scheme
Please complete the following registration form to apply: https://forms.office.com/e/aXkt3CtrQ3
For information about the Royce Undergraduate Internship Scheme please contact engagement@royce.ac.uk
