Some funding schemes help you deliver a project. The British Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) 2026 – Round 11 is different it is designed to help you become the kind of researcher or innovator who shapes the next decade of ideas, policy, technology, or creative practice in the UK.
Backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this flagship fellowship is now open and comes with a £110 million funding commitment. It targets one clear group: high-potential researchers and innovators ready to step into independence and leadership.
This is not short-term or narrowly defined funding. It is a long-term, flexible programme built to support ambitious people working across disciplines from labs and hospitals to studios, policy spaces, data-driven research, and industry-led innovation.
What the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Is About
The Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) programme exists to develop, attract, retain, and sustain world-class research and innovation talent in the UK. The aim is simple but powerful: fund people early enough that the investment permanently changes the direction of their career and impact.
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This is a personal fellowship award. Your application is evaluated not only on the strength of your idea, but also on:
- Your potential to grow into an independent leader
- Your ability to deliver long-term impact
- Your vision for how your work will benefit society, industry, the economy, or the environment
The fellowship is open across the entire UKRI remit, including:
- Science and engineering
- Health and medicine
- Environment and climate research
- Social sciences and public policy
- Arts and humanities
- Innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercial translation
If your proposal is ambitious, original, and well supported by a UK host organization, this fellowship is designed for you.
Future Leaders Fellowships Funding Package (Round 11)
UKRI offers one of the most flexible and generous funding structures available at this career stage.
Key benefits include:
Long-Term Fellowship Duration
- Funding for up to 7 years
- Initially awarded for 4 years
- Option to apply for a 3-year extension in the final year, subject to progress review
Flexible Budget With No Fixed Funding Cap
- No minimum or maximum project cost
- UKRI funds 80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC)
- Previous awards have ranged from £300,000 to over £2 million, depending on scope and justification
Salary and Programme-Building Support
- Salary support for fellows (gradually tapered)
- Funding for:
- Research teams and staff
- Infrastructure and equipment
- High-value research tools
- Leadership training and mentoring
- Skills development and career progression
Research and Innovation Resources
- Access to facilities and infrastructure
- Equipment purchases (including major items where justified)
- Travel for collaboration
- Cross-sector partnerships
- International research and innovation links
Protected Time for Research and Leadership
- Fellows usually dedicate 100% of their working time to the fellowship
- Academic-hosted fellows may spend limited time on related duties that support leadership development
Career Development and Leadership Growth
- Strong focus on building independence
- Professional training and mentoring
- Exposure to policy, industry, or commercialization routes
- Global collaboration opportunities
Flexible and Inclusive Support
- Supports flexible working arrangements
- Accommodates career breaks and caring responsibilities
- Job-share proposals are welcomed
UK Career Pathway and Global Talent Route
- International fellows hosted by UK organizations may be eligible for the UK Global Talent visa (Exceptional Promise route)
- Enables relocation and long-term research careers in the UK
Who the Future Leaders Fellowship Is For
This fellowship targets researchers and innovators at the transition-to-independence stage, where one sustained opportunity can transform a career into long-term leadership.
You are a strong candidate if you:
- Are building your own original and ambitious research or innovation programme
- Are ready to lead projects, not just contribute to them
- Work across academia, industry, interdisciplinary fields, or commercial environments
- Can demonstrate a credible plan for real-world impact, not just academic outputs
You must also have:
- A UK-based host organization that is eligible for UKRI funding
- Active support from your host institution
You are not eligible if:
- You have already achieved full independence (for example, leading a large established programme or holding major funding at this level)
- You are a senior academic or senior innovator
Important note: Many universities apply internal limits on how many FLF applications they can submit. Internal shortlisting is common, so starting early is critical.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UKRI portal:
Apply here: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/future-leaders-fellowship-round-11/
Application Deadline and Timeline
- Applications opened: 2 February 2026 at 9:00 AM (UK time)
- Final deadline: 16 June 2026 at 4:00 PM (UK time)
Late submissions will not be accepted.
