UKRI Future Leader Fellowships
We welcome expressions of interest from applicants who wish to apply for a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) with Cardiff University as their host organisation.
Round 10 of the UKRI Future Leader Fellowships scheme has been announced and the internal process is described below. Cardiff University has been invited to put forward up to 8 applications to this round.
The UKRI FLF scheme, which invites applications from both UK and international candidates, provides a comprehensive, yet flexible, package of support in any area supported by UKRI, including the Fellow's salary and all justified research, staff, and training costs.
These fellowships are for early career academics and innovators who are transitioning to or establishing independence. Individuals should refer to the funders up to date call document establish their suitability for the scheme with reference to the objectives of the programme.
These fellowships are supportive of applicants from diverse career paths, including those returning from a career break or following time in other roles. Furthermore, UKRI encourages applications from those wishing to work part-time or in job shares to combine the fellowship with personal responsibilities.
This is a single scheme across the entire UKRI remit, with no ring-fenced budgets for specific areas and no barriers to interdisciplinary or cross-sector research.
Full call details of the scheme can be found on the UKRI website.
The Future Leader Fellowships provide researchers from diverse backgrounds and career paths with the flexibility and time they need to make progress in addressing some of society’s most pressing issues. Further details of new Future Leaders fellows can be found on our Cardiff University news pages.
Why Cardiff?
You will receive a bespoke pathway of support from School and College teams in crafting a competitive proposal. At every review stage, you will receive constructive feedback on your developing proposal. If you are invited to interview, you will be provided with intensive mock panel training. If successful, you will have a clear commitment from your host School to providing you with an open-ended contract.
We are committed to supporting and developing researchers at all career stages, which has been recognised and accredited with the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
As a partner in the GW4 research and innovation alliance, ECRs can access the full range of expertise across our GW4 communities and will be encouraged to apply for the highly esteemed ‘Welsh Crucible’ and/or ‘GW4 Crucible’ leadership development programmes, which aim to help ECRs reach their full potential through training in research innovation and knowledge exchange.
We are a top 20 UK University for overall quality of research, impact and environment (REF 2021). Find out more about our research here:
Research Excellence Framework 2021 - Research - Cardiff University
Find out more about what we can offer you, should you wish to hold your FLF at Cardiff University here
Internal application form
Cardiff University’s internal application form for round 10 of the UKRI FLF scheme is now available. Please email risresearchdevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk with the following details as early as possible and before 04 Feb 2025:
- your full name
- your discipline (described in no more than 150 words)
- expected host School (including a CV and 500-word proposal summary)
UKRI have placed a limit of 8 applications that can be submitted from Cardiff University. As such, an internal process has been put in place to select these 8 applications in a fair and equitable manner. Cardiff University has a process for assessing this scheme, the first stage of which involves development and a review of the internal applications by your proposed host School. Once we have received the information requested above, we will put you in touch with the School and provide you with the information you need to develop and submit an internal application to the scheme.
Cardiff University Information Session
Sign up to our online internal information session to learn more about the scheme, Cardiff University’s selection process and hear from individuals who have received UKRI FLF funding or sat on FLF panels. There will also be an open question and answer session for you to pose questions to the team.
Round 10 Information Session: Thursday 16 January 2025 via Teams
Sign up to the information session by emailing RIS Research Development RISResearchDevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk.
College and University assessment panels
All host School-approved forms will be assessed at a college-level review panel in early May 2024 which will be chaired by respective College Deans of Research and Innovation. The panel will comprise of other invited academics from across disciplines and career stages. Each College will select 5 internal application forms to go forward to the University panel.
The University panel will be chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, and will comprise the College Deans of Research and Innovation for each College.
Following review of the internal application forms, the University panel will select the 8 most competitive proposals for submission to UKRI.
Selected candidates will then need to craft their full proposals. Candidates will be asked to submit a draft of their full proposal to their College in late May 2024 for a progress review prior to submission to UKRI.
Full proposals must be submitted to UKRI, via the Funding Service (TFS) by 09:00, 11 June 2025 (to allow for final institutional approvals). UKRI will subject these proposals to expert peer review, followed by shortlisting of candidates by a multi-disciplinary panel of senior decision makers with a track record across areas and disciplines. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to interview.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to supporting, developing, and promoting equality and diversity in all practices and activities, establishing an inclusive culture free from discrimination, and based upon the values of dignity, courtesy, and respect. We proudly acknowledge that variety and difference are intrinsic to the wellbeing and future development of the University. In higher education, several groups are underrepresented in the academic community and applications are therefore particularly welcome from applicants who identify as part of an underrepresented group.
Contact
For general queries, individuals should contact: