UK Research & Innovation Futures Leaders Fellowships 2026
Deadline: Feb 16, 2026
other
partially funded
Opportunity Overview
About UK Research & Innovation Futures Leaders Fellowships 📚
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme (FLF) aims to develop, retain, attract, and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK. It provides funding for up to seven years, supporting at least 550 early-career researchers and innovators. The scheme is designed to tackle difficult and novel challenges, ensuring that UK research and innovation remain world-class.
Key Highlights:
- Fellowships can be held at any UK-based organisation registered as eligible to apply to the research councils (e.g., higher education institutes, research council institutes, and eligible independent research organisations).
- Companies or privately owned research organisations are encouraged to host fellowships if they can provide an innovation and/or research environment of international standing.
Benefits of UK Research & Innovation Futures Leaders Fellowships 🎁
- Total funding: Up to £110,000,000
Eligibility Criteria ✅
General Requirements:
- Open to researchers and innovators 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.
Hosting Requirements:
Fellowships must be held at a UK-based organisation that meets the following criteria:
- A UK-based organisation currently registered as eligible to apply for funding from UKRI.
- Any non-academic organisation eligible to receive subsidies from the UK government that provides 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) should apply via the Innovation Funding Service. Catapults should apply through the Funding Service if eligible; otherwise, they can apply via the Innovation Funding Service.
Application Date and Process 📝
- Deadline: 16 February, 2026
- Applications can be submitted via the official UKRI Funding Service or Innovation Funding Service, depending on the hosting organisation.
Application Portal 🌐
- View details of the UK Research & Innovation Futures Leaders Fellowships here.
- Apply for the fellowship here.
For more information, visit the official UKRI website.
Benefits
- The total fund is up to £110,000,000
