The UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), a government funding agency, is creating a five-year physics and astronomy fellowship programme. Under the Ernest Rutherford scheme, 12 fellows will be appointed each year until there are 60, a number that will then be maintained. The pay rate is undisclosed, but fellowships are open to residents and non-residents and can be taken at a UK university of the fellow's choice. Fellows can apply for extra funding from an STFC pot that will total €3 million (US$4.9 million) by 2016. Applicants must be early-career astronomers or particle or nuclear physicists who can head a research group and have a track record of leadership. Applications will open by July, and decisions will be made in early 2012.