Applications are now open for the Future Leaders Fellowship Programme, designed to support early-career innovators and researchers working on bold and interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.
This competitive fellowship aims to foster excellence in innovation across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries while developing the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
Thematic Areas
Proposals are welcome from all fields of research and innovation, including:
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Arts and humanities
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Social sciences
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Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
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Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral innovations
Benefits of the Fellowship
Selected Future Leaders Fellows will receive:
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At least four years of funding to pursue an ambitious programme of research or innovation.
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Tailored career development support, mentorship, and access to resources.
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The opportunity to build a leadership profile in their chosen field.
Funding Information
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Grants range from £100,000 to £3 million.
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Projects can run for a minimum of four years, with an optional three-year extension.
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Up to £110 million is available in total for the 2025 funding round.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is open to:
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Early-career innovators and researchers from any discipline
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Applicants working in academia or eligible independent research organisations via the UKRI Funding Finder
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Applicants affiliated with a UK-based host organisation, including:
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Businesses of any size
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Charitable organisations
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Public bodies
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Catapults and Agri-Tech Centres
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Eligible projects must:
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Request between £100,000 and £3 million in grant funding
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Be conducted entirely within the United Kingdom
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Demonstrate potential for impact and exploit results within or from the UK
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Be hosted by a UK-registered, non-academic organisation or academic institution with necessary approvals
How to Apply
Applicants should submit their proposals via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Finder platform. Detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements are available on the UKRI official website.
Application Deadline: November 5, 2025
The Future Leaders Fellowship Programme is now accepting applications from early-career innovators and researchers who are developing bold and interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges. The fellowship encourages excellence across various disciplines, including arts and humanities, social sciences, STEM, and interdisciplinary innovations, aiming to nurture the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
Selected fellows will benefit from at least four years of funding for their research or innovation projects, along with personalized career development support, mentorship, and resources to build a leadership profile in their chosen field. The grants range from £100,000 to £3 million, with projects lasting a minimum of four years and an optional three-year extension, funded up to a total of £110 million for the 2025 round.
Eligible applicants must be early-career researchers from any discipline, working in academia or with eligible independent research organizations in the UK. Projects must request appropriate funding, demonstrate potential for impactful results, and be entirely UK-based, hosted by a UK-registered organization.
Applications are to be submitted through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Finder platform by November 5, 2025. Further details and guidelines can be found on the UKRI official website.
