Future Leaders Fellowships Roun

Animal Research Rule: 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.

Appendices Required: 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.

Application Limit: Academic host organisations are subject to a cap on number of applications. Additional clinician nominations allowed under MRC provision.

Application Platform: UKRI Funding Service for academic hosted applicants. Innovation Funding Service for non academic hosted applicants.

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.

Assessment Process: Eligibility check. Independent expert review. Applicant response to reviewers. Shortlisting panel. Interview for shortlisted applicants. Final funding decision by UKRI.

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.

Competitiveness: Highly competitive. Not all shortlisted applicants funded.

Decision Risks: Host application cap may restrict submission. Application may be rejected if guidance not followed. Failure to meet eligibility rules results in rejection.

Decision Timeline: Applicants notified within eight weeks after interview.

Eligible Expenses: Salary support. Research expenses. Staff costs. Equipment over £25,000 allowed if justified. Travel. Training. Facilities.

Eligible Scope: Ambitious research or innovation programmes. May include portfolio of projects. Must develop leadership potential. Must include career development plan.

Funding Intensity: 80% FEC. Host must support increasing proportion of salary over time.

Funding Rate: 80% of full economic cost

Important Notes: No outline stage in round 11. Soft notification required if total cost exceeds £1.4 million. Institutional matched funding not required beyond 20% FEC.

Ineligible Applicants: Individuals who have already achieved research or innovation independence. Senior academics or innovators.

Ineligible Projects: Not specified

Interview Stage: Yes. Interviews expected week commencing 17 May 2027. Conducted via Teams.

Key Requirements: Must demonstrate leadership potential. Must justify costs. Must include host support statement. Must comply with Trusted Research and Innovation principles where applicable.

Match Funding Requirement: No matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC. Institutional support required for research environment and infrastructure.

Project Duration: Up to 7 years. Initially funded for 4 years with option to renew for 3 further years.

Publication Date: 2026-02-02 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Option to apply for renewal for further three years during final year of initial award.

Research Category: Research and innovation fellowship

Sanctions Rule: Not specified

Subcontractors: Not specified

Subsidy Scheme: Not specified

Total Fund Available: £110,000,000