Future Leaders Fellowships

The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships aim to support early career researchers and innovators with outstanding potential in universities, businesses and research institutes to make the transition to or establish independence.

The Future Leaders Fellowship scheme is for applicants of outstanding potential. Applicants will need to demonstrate the “added value” UKRI’s investment will have on their career and how the funding will enable them to become a leader within their field.

The announcement of is available with the opening date of the call being 2 February 2026 and it will then close on 16 June 2026.   Applicants must be based at, and have the support of, a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. There is no minimum or maximum project cost. UKRI will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC). To apply for funding, the FLF call aims to support ambitious research and innovation across the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s remit.  The Future Leaders Fellowship scheme is for applicants of outstanding potential. Applicants will need to demonstrate the “added value” UKRI’s investment will have on their career and how the funding will enable them to become a leader within their field.

TIMELINE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

• Candidate Expressions of Interest deadline: 2nd February 2026 12:00

• UKRI Full application deadline: 16th June 2026

This is a highly competitive scheme. In order to administer the scheme in a timely manner, UKRI have introduced a cap to the number of applications each institution can submit. Under previous caps, the ��ɫ��Ƶ has been able to submit up to four applications, and we are expecting a similar allocation for Round 11. Therefore, to identify the strongest applications, there will be an internal selection process.  

Any potential candidates should complete the expression of interest proforma, which is available from Research Development Managers (RDMs). Please contact the RDM directly or, if an external candidate, via their UoR contact/mentor. RDMs can discuss with candidates about their proposal and any support that they will need in developing their EoI.  Please note, support for the application must be obtained from the Head of School, for both internal and external candidates. Completed applications should be sent to fellowships@reading.ac.uk  by noon on Monday 2nd February 2026 for consideration.

The EOIs will be reviewed by an internal panel chaired by an Associate PVC for Research and comprised of senior academics with experience of Fellowship funding panels. The EoIs will be assessed using the same as those used by the FLF panels. The strongest candidates will be selected to proceed with a full application. Feedback will be provided to all candidates.

Resubmissions from previous FLF applicants

UKRI does not permit the resubmission of an unchanged proposal. However, previously unsuccessful applicants can apply to subsequent FLF calls providing the proposal addresses feedback from reviewers and the interview panel (where applicable).  Anyone who wishes to resubmit an FLF application will be required to go through the University’s EoI process as described above. In addition, they should provide a summary (no more than one page) highlighting how their revised application will address feedback from reviewers.

University of Reading currently hosts four UKRI Future Leaders Fellows. You can read more about their projects via the links below

• Dr Peter Bray

• Dr Rowena Kasprowicz

• Dr Miriam Sorace

• Dr Luke Barnard

If you are interested in applying to hold a Fellowship at the ��ɫ��Ƶ, please do get in touch via fellowships@reading.ac.uk.

Return to the Fellowships page.