UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships

Applications are encouraged from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences possible.

The next round of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships will open in February 2026 with a deadline in June 2026.

These Fellowships are designed to support self-identified early career researchers in the transition to ‘research independence’.

There is no limit for years post-PhD but candidates will be expected to justify their early career status and explain how this major Fellowship would facilitate their transition to research independence.

The University of Manchester has an application cap of 10 standard and 2 clinical applicants. To maximise the time available to selected candidates for preparing applications, the University will run an internal selection process.

Internal and external candidates must complete the Expression of Interest form and return it to fellows@manchester.ac.uk by Monday, 26 January 2026. Candidates applying in the Faculty of Humanities should also CC georgia.vesma@manchester.ac.uk.

EoIs will be assessed first by a Faculty panel and subsequently by a central panel, with feedback provided for those not selected.

Please share this information with anyone who you think may be interested in applying for a Future Leaders Fellowship, including colleagues on fixed-term contracts and exceptional researchers external to the University.