UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships

UWS is eager to support emerging and exceptional talent in various exciting research areas. The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship offers long-term, flexible support, including the fellow's salary and research, staff and training costs, plus the opportunity of a permanent academic position on successful completion of the fellowship.

The FLF Scheme Objectives are: 

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

WHAT THE FELLOWSHIP OFFERS

Investment of around £1.5 million over four years, with the ability to extend to up to seven years, will enable the next generation of researcher and innovators to benefit from outstanding support to develop their careers, and to work on difficult and novel challenges.

The FLF scheme has funded fellowships from £300,000 to over £2m, and there is no preference for lower or higher cost proposals. Support for applicants from diverse career paths, including those returning from a career break or following time in other roles. The support offered is long-term and flexible, with seven years of support available on a 4 (+3) model.

UWS will offer substantial additional support to successful applicants including:

• Funding to recruit a full-time PhD student,
• Mentoring and Support from Faculty and Professional Services e.g. bid writing support.
• Applicants must have approved support from the proposed host department.

ELIGIBILITY

These fellowships are for early career academics and innovators who are transitioning to or establishing independence.

Applicants are expected to hold a doctorate by the start date of the fellowship OR to be able to demonstrate equivalent research/innovation experience and/or training. There are no eligibility rules based on years since PhD or whether the applicant currently holds a permanent/open-ended academic position or job role, though individuals who currently hold a permanent position should:

• Show that their current position does not demonstrate that they have achieved research/innovation independence and thought leadership
• Provide a clear rationale why a Future Leaders Fellowship would be different to their current role.
• Clearly state that all their working time costed to the fellowship would be dedicated to that fellowship to focus on research/innovation, shielded from other professional commitments.
• Demonstrate that a Future Leaders Fellowship would be the best way to support their long-term career goals and chosen career route.

Applicants who have already achieved research/innovation independence (for example, by securing funding aimed at this career stage) will not be competitive. Senior academics and innovators are not permitted to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

The next round of Future Leaders Fellowship (Round 8) opens on 27^th March 2023 with a closing date of 4^th July 2023. Full details can be found here. 

Individuals should initially approach the relevant Research Lead to ensure their research aligns with the Research and Innovation Strategy and the research ambitions of the University. Details of UWS Research Institutes, Centres and Groups can be found here. 

An open and inclusive selection process will be used to ensure UWS is selecting the best candidates to support to the full application stage. This will include scrutiny by an internal review panel of each candidate’s draft proposal, CV & outputs.