The Isaac Newton Trust is in close contact with the Leverhulme Trust and has aligned its policies regarding the COVID-19 crisis so far as possible.  The Leverhulme Trust has updated its policy in February 2023. 

Please note:  The Leverhulme Trust expects that Fellows admitted during the 2021 round will have taken account of the impact of restrictions and will have been written with appropriate contingencies in place for their continuance or resumption.  No requests for costed extensions will therefore be considered for awards that arise from Fellows admitted during the 2021 round or later.

Applications for second costed extensions will not generally be supported, although consideration will be given to ensuring doctoral students are able to complete their studies. Further no-cost extensions (at the end of a costed extension period) may be considered.

• The Leverhulme Trust and INT are willing to provide no-cost extensions and deferrals as needed

• They are also willing to consider paid extensions where a suitable case is made to compensate for 'lost or severely compromised' research from Fellows who were admitted before the 2021 round

• If your LECF is co-funded by the Isaac Newton Trust, the Trustees have agreed to provide matching salary costs for any extension granted by the Leverhulme Trust for up to a maximum of 12 months

• Note that if the total salary + on-costs to each Trust exceed £25,000, the difference will need to be made up by the host institution

• Note that INT cannot provide funding for research costs

Applications for paid extensions will be considered by the Leverhulme Trust on a case-by-case basis.  The decision lies with the Leverhulme Trust and not the Isaac Newton Trust.

How to apply for a paid extension

First, read the Applying for a paid extension: Guiding Principles for LECFs applying for an extension.

Note that you should wait till you are clear about the time lost and how much time is needed to compensate for this; this means that the Leverhulme Trust will not expect to receive an application till you are within about 6 months of the end of your award (you can apply up to 12 months before the end, but they do not courage this).

1. Download the Leverhulme Trust’s application form: this requires the signature of your Head of Department/Faculty and some financial details to be provided by your administrator. You should attach any statement of your case and other documents required by the Leverhulme Trust.

2. Before you send this off to Leverhulme, you will need to obtain a letter of consent from your co-funder to say they will provide the other 50% of the extra salary.

3. To obtain INT consent:

   • Discuss you case with your Head of Department/Institution and provide him/her with the INT’s Head of Institution Support Form which is to be returned to the INT separately by the Head of Department;

   • Complete the INT Coversheet and Statement of Need and return it to the INT by email; this form asks you to be specific about dates and the amount of work lost; it asks for an indication of the reasons but does NOT ask you for personal details.

   • We will then consult our Trustees (this should be a very quick process).

   • We will send you a letter of support for a certain number of months extension; if we do not initially agree to support the whole period you ask for, we will tell you why and you can answer any queries.

4. Send the INT letter with your application to the Leverhulme Trust (they don’t want your INT application form nor the INT’s Head of Institution form - these are for INT’s internal use only).

5. Copy your correspondence with the Leverhulme Trust to the INT, including your Leverhulme application and their decision.

6. We will then write to all interested parties to confirm the details of the Isaac Newton Trust's contribution.