Future Leaders Fellowships

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) Round 12 (2027)

 

UKRI has not yet published the pre-announcement for Round 12, but the call is expected to go live in early 2027. Information may be subject to change, and up to date details are available on this page.

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. This is a highly competitive scheme which supports ambitious programmes of research that could not be funded through a series of smaller project grants.

To administer the scheme in a timely manner, UKRI imposes a cap to the number of applications each institution can submit. Under previous caps, the University of Reading has been able to submit up to four applications, and we are expecting the same allocation for Round 12. Therefore, to identify the strongest applications, there will be an internal selection process.

 

TIMELINE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EoI)

• Candidate Expressions of Interest deadline: 13 January 2027 12:00
• Head of School support statement deadline: 13 January 2027 12:00
• UKRI Full application deadline: TBC – Expected mid-June 2027

 

We would like to receive expressions of interest from across the University for this scheme and we encourage Schools to also think about looking externally for suitable candidates. Potential candidates should complete an expression of interest application form which is available from Research Development Managers (RDMs) or fellowships@reading.ac.uk.

RDMs can discuss potential proposals with candidates and consider any support that they will need in developing their EoI.  Support for the application must be obtained from the Head of School, for both internal and external candidates. To confirm their support, Heads of School must complete a separate form, available via RDMs or fellowships@reading.ac.uk.

 

Both completed application forms (and an EDI form, see below) must be received by midday on Wednesday 13 January 2027.  Note that a candidate form without the HOS support form will not be taken forward for consideration.

The EOIs will be reviewed by an internal panel chaired by an Associate PVC for Research, and comprising senior academics and research development experts with experience of Fellowship funding panels. The EoIs will be assessed using the same assessment criteria 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.

TIMETABLE
Internal call open to applicants	October 2026
Support for candidates	Arranged on demand
Candidate Expression of Interest (EoI) and EDI forms deadline	13/01/2027; 12:00 noon
Head of School support statement deadline	13/01/2027; 12:00 noon
Candidates notified of outcome of internal EoI sift	By 29/01/2027
Support for candidates	Arranged on demand
Announcement of Call expected	Early 2027
Internal full proposal deadline	01/06/2027 (expected)
Funder deadline	15/06/2027 (expected)

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.

 

EDI data

All candidates who apply to the internal EoI process will need to submit a separate EDI data form alongside the main EOI. Note that these data will be collated separately from the EOI process and will only be used for the purposes of reporting to UKRI. Internal assessors and those coordinating the assessment process will not have access to any of the EDI data and these responses will not inform the selection in any way.

 

SCHEME AIMS                       

The scheme aims to:

• develop, retain, attract and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK
• foster new research and innovation career paths including those at the academic/business and interdisciplinary boundaries, and facilitate movement of people between sectors
• provide sustained funding and resources for the best early career researchers and innovators
• provide long-term, flexible funding to tackle difficult and novel challenges, and support adventurous, ambitious programmes.

These Fellowships support applicants from diverse career paths, including those returning from a career break or following time in other roles and UKRI also encourages applications from those wishing to work part-time in order to combine the fellowship with personal responsibilities. This scheme also supports those coming to the UK from abroad, with applicants eligible for a Global Talent visa under the ‘exceptional promise’ category.

Funding provided includes the fellow's salary and justified research, staff and training costs. The FLFs follow a 4(+3) model, funding is for up to 4 years with the option to apply to renew for up to 3 additional years during the last year of the fellowship. Salary support for the fellow has to be provided from year 3 of the project (as the UKRI contribution tapers down during the lifetime of the project) and the university must commit to providing a route to an open-ended UK based independent research and/or innovation position, to be taken up during or upon the completion of the fellowship (in line with organisational employment policies and practices).

 

UKRI Community Engagement Events

UKRI have previously held community engagement events to give an overview of the scheme and answer some of the most commonly asked questions. You can access the recording of a webinar for academic applicants here.

 

 

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

 

Return to the Fellowships page.