The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) was commissioned by the Royal Society to complete a study exploring the potential of a Fellowship programme for early- to mid-career education researchers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The study was set within the broader context of increasing capacity in STEM education research and was intended to assist the Royal Society in its aim to ensure that the next generation of leading STEM education researchers are recruited and sustained in their careers. The main phase of data collection involved interviews with 30 STEM education researchers across the UK (25 from England and the remainder from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales). Interviewees were unanimously positive about the suggestion of a fellowship programme. In terms of its style and composition they suggested that it could: (1) be offered within a structure of support, training and mentoring; (2) develop the practical skills associated with research (writing bids, managing projects); (3) give recipients freedom to pursue their own research interests; (4) provide opportunities for collaboration between disciplines and institutions; and (5) release staff from some/all of their teaching commitments in order to dedicate time to research.