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§ Grant
Grant for early-career researchers and innovators, offering flexible funding for ambitious research.
UKRI provides up to GBP 1.5 million over 4+3 years to UK-based early-career researchers and innovators across all disciplines, one of the UK's most prestigious early-career funding schemes.
UK-based researchers and innovators at early to mid-career stages across all disciplines, in universities, research institutes, or businesses. International researchers based in the UK and career returners are eligible.
Up to GBP 1.5 million over 4 years (extendable by 3) covering salary, research staff, equipment, travel, and research costs, plus UKRI leadership training and career development.
Apply through UKRI's funding service during biannual rounds with your research vision, methodology, and team plans. Expert peer review assesses person quality, research, and institutional support.
Breakthroughs in quantum computing, gene therapy, AI ethics, climate science, materials, and digital health. Fellows establish research groups, secure major grants, and contribute to UK policy.
The UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships is a grant program administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) that provides long-term flexible funding for research and innovation projects. The initiative operates across multiple councils, including Innovate UK, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), covering disciplines from basic science to applied commercial research. Selected participants receive an initial four years of funding ranging from £100,000 to over £3 million, which covers 80% of the full economic cost and can be extended to seven years. Applicants must secure formal backing from an eligible UK-based host institution, with the upcoming Round 11 application cycle scheduled to open on February 2, 2026. This resource is intended for early-career researchers and innovators seeking to establish professional independence and develop leadership capabilities.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships provide up to GBP 1.5 million over a 4+3 year period to UK-based researchers and innovators across all disciplines. The program supports the most talented early-career researchers and innovators in developing their careers, establishing their research groups, and tackling ambitious research questions or innovation challenges. It is one of the UK's most prestigious and generous early-career funding schemes.
UK-based researchers and innovators across all academic disciplines and innovation sectors are eligible. Applicants should be at an early to mid-career stage with a track record of exceptional research or innovation. The fellowship is open to researchers in universities, research institutes, and businesses. International researchers who will be based in the UK are also eligible. There is no age limit, and career breaks are taken into account in assessing track records.
Fellowships provide up to GBP 1.5 million over an initial four-year period, with the possibility of a three-year extension. Funding covers the fellow's salary, research staff, equipment, consumables, travel, and other research costs. The generous funding level allows fellows to build research teams, establish labs, and pursue ambitious long-term research programs. Fellows also access UKRI's development program, which provides leadership training, networking, and career development support.
Applications are submitted through the UKRI funding service during biannual application rounds. Proposals must describe the research or innovation vision, methodology, team development plans, and expected impact. Applications are assessed by expert peer review panels on the quality of the person, the proposed research, and the host institution's support. The application process is competitive, with success rates typically in the range of 15-20%. Prospective applicants should discuss plans with their host institution early.
Future Leaders Fellows work across the full breadth of UK research and innovation, including quantum computing, gene therapy, AI ethics, climate science, materials engineering, digital health, and social sciences. Fellows have gone on to make significant research breakthroughs, secure major follow-on grants, establish successful research groups, and contribute to UK policy and industry. The program has been praised for its flexibility and ambition in supporting the next generation of research leaders.