Fully Funded UK Future Leaders Fellowship 2026 for Researchers
Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
Scholarship Overview
The Future Leaders Fellowships (Round 11) is a prestigious UK research funding opportunity designed to support ambitious early-career researchers and innovators who are transitioning to independence.
This long-term fellowship enables outstanding talent to:
Establish independent research leadership in the UK
Develop innovative and interdisciplinary research programs
Translate research into real-world impact
Build collaborations across academia, industry, and government
The scheme is delivered by UKRI and its research councils, including:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Innovate UK
Available Fields of Study
Applicants from all research and innovation fields are welcome, including but not limited to health, environment, arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and technology.
Fellowship Duration
Initial award: 4 years
Optional renewal: 3 additional years
Maximum duration: 7 years
Why Apply?
The Future Leaders Fellowships is one of the UK’s most competitive and prestigious research fellowships, offering substantial funding, independence, and career acceleration for future research leaders.
Benefits
No minimum or maximum project cost
UKRI funds 80% of the Full Economic Cost
Previous fellowships ranged from £300,000 to over £2 million
Salary support included (tapered contribution from host institution)
Long-term flexible research funding
Leadership development support
International collaboration opportunities
Eligibility for the UK Global Talent Visa
Strong focus on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
Eligibility criteria
An early-career researcher or innovator seeking to establish or transition to independence
Based at a UK organisation eligible for UKRI funding
Developing an ambitious research or innovation programme
There are no restrictions based on contract type (permanent or fixed-term).