UK Research & Innovation is accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of its Future Leaders Fellowships. Specifically, this extensive grant program helps early-career researchers scale their impact through long-term funding. Consequently, selected fellows work directly with host institutions to deploy ambitious, cross-disciplinary research projects.
Program Overview
This is a research acceleration program. Therefore, it is ideal for innovative academics who need extended financial stability to serve their scientific fields. By joining, you get access to world-class UK laboratories and up to seven years of research funding.
Key Benefits
Participants receive high-value academic and financial support. Specifically, the benefits include:
- Funding: Comprehensive coverage of the researcher’s salary and core project costs.
- Duration: Initially funded for four years, with the option to extend for an additional three.
- Mobility: Opportunities to collaborate internationally and across different commercial sectors.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, an applicant must be an early-career researcher or innovator. Crucially, you must have an original research proposal that requires long-term, flexible funding.
- Transition: Must be transitioning to or establishing research independence.
- Host: Must have the backing of an eligible UK-based university or business.
- Discipline: Open to researchers across all academic disciplines.
Application Process
- Deadline: June 16, 2026.
- Submission: Apply via the UKRI funding service portal.
- Requirements: Detailed research proposal, budget justification, and host institution letter.
