Future Leaders Fellowships: round 11
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Fellowship funding to support ambitious research and innovation across UKRI remit. Supports researchers and innovators establishing or transitioning to independence. Provides long term flexible funding to develop leadership.
Summary
Deadline
16 Jun 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Fellowship funding to support ambitious research and innovation across UKRI remit. Supports researchers and innovators establishing or transitioning to independence. Provides long term flexible funding to develop leadership.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Entire UKRI remit including arts, humanities, social sciences, science, engineering and innovation sectors.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Researchers or innovators establishing or transitioning to independence. Must be based at and supported by a UK eligible organisation. Academic and non academic hosts allowed. UK-based eligible organisation (university, research institute, business or other) must host fellow; applicant must be researcher or innovator establishing or transitioning to independence. Ambitious research or innovatio...
Eligible applicants
Researchers or innovators establishing or transitioning to independence. Must be based at and supported by a UK eligible organisation. Academic and non academic hosts allowed.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No maximum project cost. UKRI funds 80% of full economic cost.
Total fund available
£110,000,000
Funding intensity
80% of full economic cost
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Ambitious research or innovation programmes. May include portfolio of projects. Must develop leadership potential. Must include career development plan.
Eligible expenses
- Salary support. Research expenses. Staff costs. Equipment over £25,000 allowed if justified. Travel. Training. Facilities.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service for academic hosted applicants. Innovation Funding Service for non academic hosted applicants.
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Applicants notified within eight weeks after interview.
Assessment process
Eligibility check. Independent expert review. Applicant response to reviewers. Shortlisting panel. Interview for shortlisted applicants. Final funding decision by UKRI.
Application sections
- Summary. Vision and Approach. Applicant capability to deliver. Career development. Host organisation support. Ethics and RRI. Resources and cost justification. Additional required sections where applicable.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Vision and Approach PDF including Gantt chart. Animal research template if applicable. Overseas animal checklist if applicable. Project partner letters of support. SoECAT if required for NHS research.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Host application cap may restrict submission. Application may be rejected if guidance not followed. Failure to meet eligibility rules results in rejection.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
2 Feb 2026
Project duration
Up to 7 years. Initially funded for 4 years with option to renew for 3 further years.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- Arts and Humanities Research Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Innovate UK
- Medical Research Council
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
Collaboration rules
- Only the lead research organisation can submit. Joint applications on a job share basis permitted.
Consortium requirements
- Single fellow hosted by one UK organisation; secondments and partners as permitted in FLF round 11 guidance.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"Academic host organisations are subject to a cap on number of applications. Additional clinician nominations allowed under MRC provision."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Research and innovation fellowship"},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Projects involving animals must comply with Animals Scientific Procedures Act and UKRI guidance. Overseas animal research must meet UK welfare standards. Additional documentation required if applicable."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Interviews expected week commencing 17 May 2027. Conducted via Teams."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate leadership potential. Must justify costs. Must include host support statement. Must comply with Trusted Research and Innovation principles where applicable."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Option to apply for renewal for further three years during final year of initial award."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"No outline stage in round 11. Soft notification required if total cost exceeds £1.4 million. Institutional matched funding not required beyond 20% FEC."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 16 Jun 2026
- Funding amount
- No maximum project cost. UKRI funds 80% of full economic cost.
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Entire UKRI remit including arts, humanities, social sciences, science, engineering and innovation sectors.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 1 Feb 2026