Deadline: 04-Nov-2026
UK Research and Innovation is inviting applications to support talented individuals who want to establish independent research and innovation careers in the UK. The fellowship provides sustained funding for ambitious projects aligned with UK strategic priorities and supports the development of future research and innovation leaders.
Projects must request between £100,000 and £3,000,000 in grant funding and should not begin before October 2027. Projects are expected to last four years, with a possible extension of up to three additional years, subject to approval.
What is the UK Research and Innovation Fellowship?
The UK Research and Innovation fellowship supports talented individuals with the potential to become future leaders in research and innovation.
The scheme helps applicants establish independent careers while delivering high-quality and impactful work.
It is designed for individuals who can lead ambitious research or innovation projects that contribute to UK strategic priorities.
Main Purpose of the Fellowship
The main purpose of the fellowship is to support the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
The fellowship aims to:
- Support talented individuals with leadership potential
- Help applicants establish independent research or innovation careers
- Provide sustained funding and resources
- Develop leadership capability
- Enable high-quality and ambitious project delivery
- Support work aligned with UK strategic priorities
- Strengthen the UK research and innovation ecosystem
Funding Amount
Projects must request grant funding between £100,000 and £3,000,000.
The requested amount should match the scale, ambition, and delivery needs of the proposed project.
Applicants should prepare a realistic budget that clearly explains how the funding will support the fellowship, project activities, leadership development, and expected outcomes.
Project Duration
Projects are expected to last four years.
An extension of up to three additional years may be possible, subject to approval.
Projects should not begin before October 2027.
Geographic and Funding Use Requirements
Organisations receiving funding must ensure that the project has a strong UK connection.
Funded organisations must:
- Undertake project activities in the UK
- Intend to exploit project outcomes within the UK
- Spend most of the awarded funding in the UK
This ensures that the fellowship contributes to UK research, innovation, economic, social, or strategic benefits.
Who is Eligible?
The scheme is open to a wide range of UK-based organisations and applicants.
Eligible host organisations may include:
- UK-registered businesses of any size
- Charities
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Public sector organisations
- Agri-tech centres
- Eligible research organisations
- Catapult centres
International applicants may also be eligible if they are supported by an eligible UK-based host organisation.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants do not need to hold a PhD.
However, applicants must demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience.
They should have the skills, knowledge, and experience required to lead the proposed project.
Applicants should show clear potential to become independent leaders in their field.
International Applicant Eligibility
International applicants can apply if they are supported by an eligible UK-based host organisation.
This allows talented individuals from outside the UK to contribute to UK research and innovation priorities while being hosted by a qualifying UK organisation.
Key Focus Areas
The fellowship supports research and innovation leadership across areas aligned with UK strategic priorities.
Key focus areas include:
- Independent research careers
- Innovation leadership
- Research excellence
- Technology and knowledge development
- Leadership capability
- Strategic UK priorities
- Impactful research and innovation
- Long-term career development
- UK-based project delivery
- Commercial, public, social, or policy impact
Key Concepts Explained
Research and Innovation Leadership
Research and innovation leadership means the ability to guide ambitious projects, build partnerships, manage teams, create new knowledge or solutions, and deliver meaningful impact.
Independent Research or Innovation Career
An independent career means the applicant is developing their own research or innovation direction, rather than working only under the direction of another senior researcher or project lead.
UK Strategic Priorities
UK strategic priorities refer to areas of national importance where research and innovation can support economic growth, public benefit, technological progress, resilience, policy development, or societal improvement.
Host Organisation
A host organisation is the eligible UK-based organisation that supports the applicant, manages the grant, and provides the environment needed to deliver the fellowship.
Project Exploitation
Project exploitation means using the project’s results for real-world benefit. This may include commercialisation, policy use, public-sector adoption, social impact, further research, or innovation development within the UK.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The scheme supports ambitious research and innovation projects led by talented individuals.
Supported projects may include:
- Research projects addressing strategic UK challenges
- Innovation projects developing new products, services, systems, or approaches
- Projects with strong leadership development components
- Projects hosted by UK businesses, charities, research organisations, or public bodies
- Projects with potential for economic, social, environmental, policy, or technological impact
- Projects that help applicants establish independent careers
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship provides long-term funding to support both project delivery and leadership development.
Applicants must work with an eligible host organisation.
The host organisation provides the institutional, technical, financial, or operational environment needed to deliver the project.
The project should be designed to build the applicant’s independence, leadership capability, and contribution to UK research and innovation.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a strong fellowship proposal that demonstrates leadership potential, project quality, strategic relevance, and host organisation support.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the proposed host organisation is eligible.
- Define the research or innovation project clearly.
- Ensure the project aligns with UK strategic priorities.
- Confirm that the project will not start before October 2027.
- Prepare a project plan for four years.
- Consider whether a longer extension of up to three additional years may be needed.
- Prepare a funding request between £100,000 and £3,000,000.
- Show how most of the funding will be spent in the UK.
- Explain how project activities will be undertaken in the UK.
- Describe how project outcomes will be exploited within the UK.
- Demonstrate the applicant’s research or innovation experience.
- Explain the applicant’s leadership potential and career development pathway.
- Secure strong support from the UK-based host organisation.
- Submit the application according to UKRI’s official requirements.
Expected Outcomes
The fellowship is expected to support both project impact and career development.
Expected outcomes may include:
- Stronger independent research or innovation careers
- Development of future UK research and innovation leaders
- Delivery of ambitious and impactful projects
- New knowledge, technologies, methods, or solutions
- Improved leadership capability
- Stronger collaboration across sectors
- Benefits for UK society, economy, policy, or industry
- Long-term contribution to UK strategic priorities
Why It Matters
This fellowship helps talented individuals move toward independent leadership in research and innovation.
Long-term funding is important because ambitious projects often require sustained support, resources, partnerships, and time.
By supporting individuals across academic, business, public, charity, and innovation settings, the scheme strengthens the UK’s ability to develop future leaders and deliver high-impact work.
The fellowship also helps ensure that research and innovation outcomes are developed, used, and exploited within the UK.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show the applicant’s leadership potential and the project’s strategic value.
Applicants should focus on:
- A clear and ambitious project idea
- Strong alignment with UK strategic priorities
- Evidence of research or innovation experience
- Clear leadership development goals
- A realistic four-year work plan
- A well-justified budget
- Strong support from the host organisation
- Clear UK-based delivery and exploitation plans
- Measurable expected impact
- A credible pathway to independence
Applicants without a PhD should clearly explain their equivalent experience and why they are qualified to lead the project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that lack strategic focus or clear leadership development.
Common mistakes include:
- Requesting funding outside the £100,000 to £3,000,000 range
- Planning a project start date before October 2027
- Failing to show how the project aligns with UK priorities
- Providing weak evidence of leadership potential
- Not explaining equivalent experience when the applicant does not hold a PhD
- Submitting an unclear project plan
- Providing a budget that is not well justified
- Not showing how outcomes will be exploited in the UK
- Failing to demonstrate sufficient host organisation support
- Overlooking the requirement to spend most funding in the UK
FAQ
What is the UK Research and Innovation fellowship?
It is a funding opportunity that supports talented individuals in establishing independent research and innovation careers while delivering impactful work aligned with UK strategic priorities.
How much funding can projects request?
Projects must request between £100,000 and £3,000,000 in grant funding.
When can projects start?
Projects should not begin before October 2027.
How long do projects last?
Projects are expected to last four years, with a possible extension of up to three additional years, subject to approval.
Who can host a fellowship?
Eligible host organisations include UK-registered businesses, charities, not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations, agri-tech centres, eligible research organisations, and Catapult centres.
Do applicants need a PhD?
No. Applicants do not need a PhD, but they must demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience and the ability to lead the proposed project.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. International applicants may apply if they are supported by an eligible UK-based host organisation.
Conclusion
The UK Research and Innovation fellowship provides major support for talented individuals seeking to establish independent research and innovation careers. With grant funding between £100,000 and £3,000,000, the scheme enables ambitious projects that build leadership capability and deliver impact aligned with UK strategic priorities.
Strong applications will show a clear project vision, strong host organisation support, relevant experience, leadership potential, and a credible plan for delivering and exploiting outcomes in the UK.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.