UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships 2026

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UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships 2026

The UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships 2026 is a prestigious and highly competitive programme supporting early-career researchers and innovators to establish or transition into independent leadership roles. It provides long-term funding and flexible support for bold research or innovation projects that drive significant impact across diverse disciplines.

Who can apply

Researchers and innovators who are either transitioning to or establishing independence or developing their own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting. Fellowships must be held at a UK-based organisation registered as eligible to apply for funding from UKRI.

Perks & benefits

Long-term funding
Mentoring
Career development support

Key contacts

[email protected]

Sources

Links used by the AI to gather information about this grant.

Funding

£300k – £2.0m

Deadline

June 16, 2026

Opens

February 9, 2026

Organiser website View source

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Eligibility criteria

Researchers and innovators transitioning to or establishing independence or developing original plans within a commercial setting.
No eligibility rules based on whether you currently hold a permanent or open-ended position or job role.
For applicants based in academic organisations, there is a fixed cap on the number of applicants who can apply from each institution.
You are not eligible if you have already achieved research or innovation independence, for example, by securing funding aimed at this career stage or by already managing your own significant programme of work within a business.
You are not eligible if you are a senior academic or innovator.
Researchers and innovators who are either transitioning to or establishing independence or developing their own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting.
Fellowships must be held at a UK-based organisation registered as eligible to apply for funding from UKRI.
UK-based organisation registered as eligible to apply for funding from UKRI