The Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) Round 11 is now open, offering one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious and flexible funding schemes for early-career researchers and innovators seeking to establish or transition to independence. Led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this fellowship supports ambitious, interdisciplinary research and innovation across the full UKRI remit, including academia, business, and the public and third sectors. The scheme provides long-term funding, leadership development, and career stability for future research and innovation leaders based at eligible UK organisations.
About the Future Leaders Fellowships Programme
The Future Leaders Fellowships programme is designed to:
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Develop, attract, and retain world-class research and innovation talent in the UK
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Support early-career individuals to establish independence
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Enable ambitious, high-risk, high-reward programmes of work
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Encourage mobility between academia, industry, and other sectors
Fellowships are personal awards, allowing fellows to shape their own long-term research or innovation agenda while receiving strong institutional support.
Why Apply for the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship?
The Future Leaders Fellowship is one of the most competitive and prestigious schemes in the UK, offering unmatched flexibility, scale, and duration. It enables fellows to build an independent career, lead transformative research or innovation, and become influential leaders shaping the future of science, society, and the economy.
Funding and Duration
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Funding amount: No minimum or maximum budget limit
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Funding rate: UKRI funds 80% of the full economic cost (FEC)
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Total fund available: £110 million
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Duration: Up to 7 years
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Initial award: 4 years
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Renewal option: Up to 3 additional years
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Awards may range from approximately £300,000 to over £2 million, depending on the scale and ambition of the proposal.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
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Be a researcher or innovator transitioning to or establishing independence
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Be based at, and supported by, a UKRI-eligible UK organisation
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Propose original, ambitious research or innovation plans
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Apply through either:
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UKRI Funding Service (academic-hosted applicants)
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Innovation Funding Service (IFS) (non-academic-hosted applicants)
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There are no eligibility restrictions based on:
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Permanent vs fixed-term employment
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Career breaks
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Sector background
Senior academics or individuals who have already achieved full independence are not eligible.
What the Fellowship Supports
The fellowship may include:
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Salary support (tapered over time with host commitment)
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Research and innovation costs
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Training, mentoring, and leadership development
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International collaboration and mobility
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Industry, policy, or public-sector engagement
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Portfolio fellowships (multiple linked projects)
Fellows are generally expected to dedicate 100% of their working time to the fellowship, with limited flexibility for teaching, clinical, or professional commitments where permitted.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
UKRI strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and supports:
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Flexible working arrangements
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Career breaks and caring responsibilities
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Applicants with disabilities (with reasonable adjustments available)
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International applicants relocating to the UK
Successful international applicants may be eligible for the UK Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise category).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the official UKRI funding systems.
Applicants should begin early and coordinate with their host organisation, as internal shortlisting processes may apply.
Key Dates
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Opening date: 2 February 2026
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Application deadline: 16 June 2026, 4:00 pm (UK time)
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Interviews: Expected in 2027
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Fellowship start dates: From 2027 onward (as agreed)
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Visit here for more information and inquiries of this opportunity.
For more fellowship opportunities, click here.
