UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships 2026

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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11 2026

The fellowships provide long-term funding, mentoring, and career development support, enabling fellows to tackle novel challenges and contribute to transformative research and innovation. UKRI funds 80% of the full economic cost, with no minimum or maximum limit, and previous awards have ranged from £300,000 to over £2 million. Host organisations must commit to salary support tapering over the fellowship period.

Who can apply

Open to researchers and innovators transitioning to independence or establishing original plans within a commercial setting, hosted at a UK-based eligible organisation. Not eligible for those who have already achieved research or innovation independence or senior academics/innovators.

Perks & benefits

long-term funding
mentoring
career development support

Key contacts

[email protected]

Sources

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Funding

£300k – £2.0m

Deadline

June 16, 2026

Opens

June 13, 2026

Organiser website

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Eligibility criteria

Fellowships must be held at a UK-based organisation that is currently registered as eligible to apply for funding from UKRI.
Any non-academic organisation eligible to receive subsidies from the UK government that will provide an innovation or research environment of international standing.
Academic-hosted applicants (including NHS trusts) should apply via the UKRI Funding Service; non-academic hosted applicants (including charities) via Innovation Funding Service.
Researchers and innovators who are either transitioning to or establishing independence or developing their own original and ambitious 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.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11 2026

Perks & benefits

Key contacts

Sources

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