What is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship?
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) is a flagship UK Research and Innovation scheme designed to support exceptional early-career researchers and innovators as they transition to independence and develop their own ambitious research or innovation agenda.
The fellowship provides long-term, flexible funding to support research, innovation, skills development and leadership activities. Fellows benefit from the supportive, interdisciplinary research and innovation environment at The University of Manchester.
The scheme is open to researchers and innovators from across science and engineering, including those working at the interface between academia, industry and other sectors. Early discussion with a proposed host department is strongly encouraged.
Key information
Institutional deadline: this fellowship is subject to an internal deadline. The deadline for this fellowship closed 26 January 2026 and no new applications will be accepted for the current call
Call deadline: Closes 6 June 2026.
Eligibility: The fellowship is open to early-career researchers and innovators who are looking to establish or transition to independence. The scheme is particularly focused on individuals with ambitions for leadership in research or innovation.
Eligibility is assessed on experience rather than career stage, and applicants may come from academic, industrial or other backgrounds relevant to the proposed project.
Funding:
- Projects may last up to four years, with the option to apply for a further three years
- No minimum or maximum project cost
- Flexible funding to support research, innovation, skills development and engagement activities.
Before you apply: Due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme and institutional limits on applications, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us well ahead of the funder’s deadline to confirm eligibility, assess alignment with Faculty and University priorities and allow time for internal selection processes.
Benefits of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship provides long-term, flexible funding to support the development of independent research or innovation leaders.
Manchester supports researchers and innovators at all career stages, promoting equality of opportunity and offering guidance on fellowship applications, funding routes and support for childcare or other responsibilities.
As a Fellow at Manchester, you’ll benefit from:
- A supportive, interdisciplinary research and innovation environment across science and engineering
- Tailored support throughout the application process
- Access to academic sponsorship, mentoring and peer review
- Opportunities for leadership development, skills training and wider impact activity
- Time and flexibility to pursue ambitious, higher-risk research or innovation.
Application process
Due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme and institutional limits on applications, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us well ahead of the funder’s deadline to allow time for internal selection processes.
Confirm that you meet the fellowship’s eligibility criteria and that the scheme is appropriate for your career stage and ambitions.
Applicants should be early-career researchers or innovators who are ready to establish or transition to independence and demonstrate leadership potential.
This fellowship is subject to an internal deadline. The deadline for this fellowship closed 26 January 2026 and no new applications will be accepted for the current call.
You must contact a department well in advance of the funder deadline to confirm support and understand any internal requirements.
Some departments or institutes may operate additional internal processes, including Expressions of Interest (EOIs) or internal selection. These arrangements may affect how and when you apply.
Contact:
- For advice on departmental fit and internal processes, contact a potential sponsor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer.
If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable sponsor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department\’s Head of Research for further guidance. - For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.
As part of this initial engagement, you may be asked to discuss:
- Your proposed research or innovation project
- Its alignment with departmental priorities.
Be prepared to provide:
- A CV
- A brief project summary.
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship includes an internal selection stage at Manchester.
To apply, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Faculty by the internal deadline. This typically includes:
A typical application includes:
- A CV
- A project summary.
Successful candidates will be invited to develop a full application for submission via the UKRI Funding Service. Manchester’s internal review process may require materials several weeks before the funder deadline.
Applications submitted to UKRI are assessed by the funder.
This typically includes:
- External peer review
- Panel assessment
- Interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Final funding decisions are made by UKRI. Successful applicants will then agree start dates with their host institution.
What our fellows say
“The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship provides more than just research funding. It is designed to support you to become a research leader, in whatever way you want to pursue. The seven-year duration gave me the reassurance to take on more complex and higher-risk projects with the potential to deliver greater impact.”
Dr Patrick Parkinson / UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
Frequently asked questions
Search Research Explorer to identify a potential sponsor whose expertise aligns with your proposed project, then contact them directly to discuss your application.
Eligibility criteria vary between funding schemes. Most require a strong academic track record commensurate to your career stage and circumstances. Check the scheme's criteria.
Further questions? Contact us
Fellowship scheme questions
- For questions about eligibility or the UKRI process, contact the UKRI FLF team at fellows@ukri.org.
Manchester-specific queries
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Departmental fit and internal processes
- For advice on departmental fit and internal requirements, contact a potential sponsor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer. If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable sponsor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department’s Head of Research for further guidance.
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Application development and other Faculty queries
- For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.