Future Leaders Fellowships round 11: Business and non-academic

Funding for research and innovation projects, and career support

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support ambitious research and innovation projects across all sectors.

The Future Leaders Fellowships round 11 competition aims to:

• support innovative projects tackling difficult and novel challenges
• promote excellence across interdisciplinary and sector boundaries
• develop, retain and attract the next generation of research and innovation leaders

Successful fellows receive at least four years of funding to pursue their innovation programmes, alongside tailored career development opportunities. Projects can be single or multiple related initiatives and must demonstrate clear impact and leadership development plans.

The competition is open to early career researchers and innovators working with UK registered businesses, charities, public bodies, Catapults, Agri-Tech Centres, and eligible research organisations. Applicants do not need a PhD but must show equivalent experience.

Applicants should ensure their projects go beyond standard organisational activities and have full host organisation support. Intellectual property arising from projects must be managed to maximise benefit to the UK economy and society.

UKRI encourages applications from all research and innovation areas, including arts, humanities, social sciences, and the seven technology families in the UK innovation strategy.

Find detailed guidance and apply for the Future Leaders Fellowship round 11.

First published 1 July 2026