02 February 2023 
Julia Ascott, Employment Taxes Specialist
The Royal Society has announced changes to the Newton International Fellowship, moving to a Full Economic Cost model for the 2023 round, which opened in January. Read the statement and get the links here.
Universities will now be required to employ the researcher, “Newton International Fellow will no longer be visiting researchers on a stipend, but salaried employees in receipt of a reasonable salary set by the host institution”. As a result, this may alter the way certain benefits provided to fellows are taxed. Applicants must have awareness of these rules to apply for adequate funding and universities should therefore be thinking of appropriate cost analysis as part of their hosting (and now employing) duties.
In addition, during the first few years, there will be arrangements under the old model and universities will have to consider what is and isn't taxable, e.g. if any accommodation is being provided. This may have been tax free under the 'old' model but a taxable benefit under the new model.
