Future Leaders Fellowships: round 11
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships support early career researchers and innovators from any discipline to develop independent, ambitious research or innovation projects with leadership training for up to seven years.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: June 16, 2026 (academic-hosted applicants, full application & host diversity reporting) | November 4, 2026 (non-academic-hosted applicants, full application)
Funding Amounts: No formal minimum or maximum; typical awards range from £300,000 to over £2 million for up to 7 years (4 years initial + 3-year renewal possible); UKRI funds 80% FEC, host covers balance.
Summary: Supports early career researchers and innovators in the UK to develop independence and leadership through long-term, flexible fellowships across all disciplines.
Key Information: Highly competitive; host institutions face application caps and must submit diversity data.
Description
The Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) scheme from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) provides significant, flexible support to outstanding early career researchers and innovators aiming to establish or transition to independence. The scheme is open to applicants from all disciplines—including arts, humanities, social sciences, STEM, and critical technologies—and supports both academic and non-academic career paths. Fellows receive funding for up to seven years (initial four years, with the possibility of a three-year extension), enabling them to pursue ambitious research or innovation programmes, develop leadership potential, and build an independent profile.
The fellowship supports a wide range of activities, including time in other sectors, international collaboration, skills development, and career breaks. Host organisations are required to provide a supportive research environment, mentoring, and a pathway to an open-ended position (for academic fellows). The scheme strongly encourages inclusivity, equality, and diversity in both selection and career development.
