Researchers, scientists, academics, healthcare professionals and innovators looking for funding to advance their careers can explore a wide range of UK Research and Innovation — UKRI fellowships during 2026 and 2027.

UKRI fellowships are prestigious funding awards designed to help individuals:

Establish Research Independence

Move Into Research Leadership

Develop New Research Capabilities

Transition Between Disciplines

Move Knowledge and Expertise Between Sectors.

Depending on the individual fellowship, funding may cover:

All or Part of the Fellow’s Salary

and some schemes can also support:

Research Costs.

Fellowships generally allow successful applicants to focus on a research or innovation project requiring at least:

12 Months

of their time.

UKRI fellowship opportunities are offered directly through UKRI, its research councils, or through research organisations receiving UKRI funding.

New fellowship opportunities are added throughout the year, meaning researchers should regularly check the UKRI Funding Finder rather than assume there is one annual application deadline.

UKRI Fellowships 2026–2027 Overview

Category	Details
Funding organisation	UK Research and Innovation — UKRI
Opportunity	Research and innovation fellowships
Career stages	Vary by fellowship
Minimum project commitment	Normally at least 12 months
Working commitment	Generally between 0.5 and 1 full-time equivalent
Salary funding	All or part may be funded
Research costs	Some fellowships cover part or all
Host organisation	Required before applying
Host types	Universities, research organisations or eligible businesses depending on scheme
Fields	Multiple academic and research disciplines
Fellowship categories	Career transition, capacity building/discipline transition and sector transition
Application dates	Vary by fellowship
New opportunities	Added throughout the year
Application platform	UKRI Funding Service / Funding Finder

What Are UKRI Fellowships?

UKRI describes fellowships as prestigious funding awards for individuals making important transitions in their:

Research

Innovation Careers.

They can also help researchers develop particular capabilities or enter new areas of research.

Unlike a conventional research grant that may primarily fund a project, fellowships place significant emphasis on:

The Individual Researcher

and

Their Career Development.

What Can UKRI Fellowship Funding Cover?

Funding differs considerably between programmes.

However, UKRI says fellowships can pay:

All or Part of Your Salary

for the duration of the fellowship.

Some schemes additionally cover:

Part or All Research Costs.

Depending on the individual opportunity, eligible project costs could potentially include different categories of expenditure defined in the scheme guidance.

Applicants should never assume that every UKRI fellowship provides identical financial support.

How Long Are UKRI Fellowships?

UKRI says fellowship opportunities involve research or innovation projects requiring at least:

12 Months

of the fellow’s time.

The required working commitment generally ranges between:

0.5 Full-Time Equivalent

and

1 Full-Time Equivalent.

Individual programmes can last considerably longer.

Several major UKRI fellowship schemes provide:

Three

Five Years

of support.

You Need a Host Organisation

An important requirement for UKRI fellowship applicants is identifying a:

Host Organisation.

UKRI states that applicants need a host organisation to support their application before applying.

This is the organisation where the fellow will be based.

Depending on the programme, the host may be a:

University

Research Organisation

Business.

Applicants should therefore begin discussions with potential hosts well before the fellowship deadline.

UKRI Research Councils

UKRI brings together several major organisations supporting research and innovation.

These include:

Arts and Humanities Research Council — AHRC

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — BBSRC

Economic and Social Research Council — ESRC

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council — EPSRC

Medical Research Council — MRC

Natural Environment Research Council — NERC

Science and Technology Facilities Council — STFC

as well as:

Innovate UK

and

Research England.

This structure means UKRI fellowship opportunities can span an exceptionally wide range of disciplines.

Research Fields Supported by UKRI

UKRI funding covers areas including:

Medical Research

Biological Sciences

Engineering

Physics

Astronomy

Chemistry

Mathematical Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Social Sciences

Economics

Arts

and

Humanities.

Specific fellowship programmes have their own disciplinary remit.

Three Main Types of UKRI Fellowships

UKRI groups many of its fellowship programmes into three broad categories.

These are:

Type 1 — Career Transition Fellowships

Type 2 — Capacity Building and Discipline Transition Fellowships

and

Type 3 — Sector Transition Fellowships.

Type 1 — Career Transition Fellowships

Career transition fellowships can support researchers who are:

Establishing Independence

Developing Leadership

or, in some cases:

Combining Professional Work With Doctoral Training.

These fellowships can be particularly relevant to early- and mid-career researchers seeking to establish themselves as independent researchers.

Examples of Career Transition Fellowships

UKRI’s fellowship portfolio includes programmes such as:

Daphne Jackson Fellowships

BBSRC Early Independence Fellowships

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships

MRC Career Development Fellowships

MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowships

NERC Independent Research Fellowships

EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships

Future Leaders Fellowships

and

Clinical Research Training Fellowships.

Availability and deadlines differ between programmes.

Daphne Jackson Fellowships

Daphne Jackson Fellowships support professionals returning to research after an extended career break.

UKRI describes them as opportunities for people returning after a break of at least:

Two Years

for reasons such as:

Family

Health

Caring Responsibilities.

They are flexible fellowships and include significant professional training.

Funding is usually structured over:

Three Years Part-Time.

Why Returner Fellowships Matter

Career breaks can make returning to academic research difficult.

A structured fellowship can help researchers:

Refresh Technical Skills

Rebuild Research Networks

Produce New Research Outputs

and

Re-establish Their Professional Profile.

BBSRC Early Independence Fellowships

The:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

offers early-independence fellowships for researchers seeking to establish their own research.

Candidates generally need:

A PhD

Equivalent Research Experience

and must be associated with an eligible UK research organisation under the specific call requirements.

BBSRC Fellowship Opportunities in 2026

A current 2026 BBSRC early-independence fellowship round has a:

£9 Million Total Fund.

The full-stage competition opened:

8 July 2026

and is scheduled to close:

23 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Applicants should consult the current funding call before applying.

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships 2026

The:

Science and Technology Facilities Council — STFC

offers:

Ernest Rutherford Fellowships.

These fellowships support early-career researchers with the potential to establish strong independent research programmes.

They can also help attract talented researchers to the UK and retain researchers already working at UK universities.

Ernest Rutherford Fellowship Funding

The 2026 Ernest Rutherford Fellowship competition has a:

£6 Million Total Fund.

The round opened:

3 June 2026

and is scheduled to close:

30 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Ernest Rutherford Fellowship Duration

UKRI’s fellowship overview states that the programme can fund:

The Fellow’s Salary

and

Project Costs

for:

Five Years.

Who Can Consider an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship?

UKRI states that applicants need:

A PhD

Relevant Equivalent Experience.

The fellowship particularly targets early-career researchers with:

Leadership Potential

and the ability to develop independent research programmes.

Specific eligibility must be checked against the live funding call.

MRC Career Development Fellowships

The:

Medical Research Council — MRC

offers Career Development Fellowships to help postdoctoral researchers transition toward:

Research Independence.

The fellowship can support:

Salary

and

Project Costs

for up to:

Five Years.

MRC Career Development Fellowship 2026

A current MRC Early Independence Career Development Fellowship round opened:

23 June 2026 at 9:00am UK time

and is scheduled to close:

15 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Applicants need research within:

MRC Remit.

MRC Career Development Fellowship Requirements

The current opportunity states that candidates should:

Hold a PhD or Equivalent

demonstrate:

Career Consolidation and Research Productivity

and present clear plans for:

Establishing an Independent Research Niche.

MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowships

Healthcare professionals pursuing academic research careers can explore:

MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowships.

These fellowships help healthcare professionals develop into:

Independent Researchers

within medical research.

Who Can Apply?

UKRI’s fellowship overview indicates that applicants should generally be:

Registered Healthcare Professionals

with:

A PhD or Equivalent

and plans to develop into research leaders.

Clinician Scientist Fellowship Funding

The programme can support:

Salary

and

Project Costs

for up to:

Five Years.

Application cycles may occur multiple times during the year.

NERC Independent Research Fellowships

Researchers working in:

Environmental Science

can explore the:

Natural Environment Research Council Independent Research Fellowship.

The programme supports early-career researchers seeking to conduct:

Independent Environmental Research.

NERC Fellowship Duration

UKRI states that funding can support:

The Fellow’s Salary

and

Project Costs

for:

Five Years.

Applicants generally require:

A PhD

or substantial relevant research experience together with evidence of:

Leadership Potential.

EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships

Researchers in areas supported by the:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

may encounter EPSRC fellowship opportunities.

UKRI’s current overview highlights postdoctoral fellowships in:

Mathematical Sciences.

EPSRC Fellowship Duration

Applicants can potentially apply for:

Up to Three Years Full-Time

or:

Up to Six Years Part-Time

where applicable.

Specific conditions depend on the live EPSRC competition.

Future Leaders Fellowships

One of UKRI’s best-known programmes is the:

Future Leaders Fellowship.

It provides long-term support for ambitious research and innovation programmes.

The fellowship is intended to help researchers and innovators tackle:

Ambitious Programmes

Multidisciplinary Questions

and

Emerging Research and Innovation Areas.

Where Can Future Leaders Fellows Be Based?

The programme can support fellows based in:

Universities

Businesses

and

Other Eligible Independent Research Organisations.

This makes it particularly notable because it extends beyond conventional university-based research careers.

Future Leaders Fellowship Eligibility

UKRI says applicants should normally be:

Early-Career Researchers

Innovators

with:

A PhD

or equivalent research or innovation experience and training.

Applicants should verify the specific requirements for the relevant competition.

Clinical Research Training Fellowship

Healthcare professionals who have not yet completed a doctorate may find relevant opportunities through:

Clinical Research Training Fellowships.

These programmes can support registered healthcare professionals pursuing:

A PhD

and an academic research career.

Clinical Research Fellowship Funding

UKRI states that the professional doctorate Clinical Research Training Fellowship can cover:

Salary

and

Project Costs

for:

Three Years.

Type 2 — Capacity Building and Discipline Transition Fellowships

The second UKRI fellowship category focuses on researchers who need to:

Develop New Skills

Move Into Another Discipline

Build Capacity in Priority Research Areas.

These programmes can help researchers adjust their expertise as science and innovation priorities evolve.

Capacity Building Clinical Research Training Fellowship

One example is the MRC:

Capacity Building Clinical Research Training Fellowship.

This programme can support registered healthcare professionals who have spent a significant period:

Outside Research

and need to rebuild research capabilities.

Who Is It Designed For?

UKRI’s fellowship overview describes this programme as relevant to healthcare professionals who:

Hold a PhD

and have generally been outside research for:

Five Years or More.

The fellowship can support a return to clinical academic research.

Funding Duration

The programme can support:

Salary

and

Project Costs

for:

Three Years.

Type 3 — Sector Transition Fellowships

The third category focuses on moving:

Knowledge

Expertise

and

Skills

between sectors.

This can help researchers work outside traditional academic settings while also bringing external insight back into research.

UKRI Policy Fellowships

One important example is:

UKRI Policy Fellowships.

These programmes give researchers opportunities to work on:

Current Policy Challenges

while embedded within:

UK Government

Devolved Government Departments.

UKRI Policy Fellowships 2026

The 2026 UKRI Policy Fellowship competition is currently listed with awards between:

£180,000 and £280,000.

The round opened:

9 June 2026

and is scheduled to close:

10 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Policy Fellowship Duration

UKRI describes policy fellowships as lasting:

18 Months.

Who Can Apply for Policy Fellowships?

The general fellowship framework states that policy fellows normally need:

A PhD

Equivalent Research Experience

along with relevant:

Subject-Matter

Methodological Expertise.

They must also be based at an eligible organisation.

Why UKRI Policy Fellowships Are Different

These fellowships provide an unusual opportunity to move between:

Academic Research

and

Government Policy.

Researchers can gain direct experience understanding:

How Evidence Informs Government Decisions

while applying their academic expertise to real policy challenges.

Current UKRI Fellowship Opportunities to Watch in September 2026

Several UKRI fellowship competitions are active around September 2026.

Examples include:

UKRI Policy Fellowships 2026

MRC Early Independence Career Development Fellowship

BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship

and

STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships.

Applicants should check the Funding Finder immediately because deadlines differ.

UKRI Policy Fellowship Deadline

Current closing date:

10 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

MRC Career Development Fellowship Deadline

Current closing date:

15 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship Deadline

Current full-stage closing date:

23 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

Ernest Rutherford Fellowship Deadline

Current closing date:

30 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

These dates apply to specific 2026 competitions and should not be treated as permanent annual deadlines.

More Fellowships Are Added Throughout the Year

Researchers should not assume the programmes listed above represent every available UKRI fellowship.

UKRI explicitly states that:

New Opportunities Are Added Throughout the Year.

The Funding Finder should therefore be monitored regularly.

Who Can Apply for UKRI Fellowships?

There is no single universal eligibility rule.

Requirements depend on the programme.

Potential applicant groups include:

Early-Career Researchers

Postdoctoral Researchers

Healthcare Professionals

Researchers Returning After Career Breaks

Independent Researchers

Researchers Moving Into Policy

and

Innovators.

Do You Need a PhD?

Many UKRI fellowship programmes require:

A PhD

or equivalent research experience.

However, this does not apply universally.

For example, some clinical research training opportunities can help healthcare professionals:

Complete a Doctorate.

Candidates should therefore check individual fellowship criteria.

Can International Researchers Apply?

International eligibility depends on the specific fellowship.

Some programmes are specifically designed to attract talented researchers to:

The UK.

For example, UKRI describes Ernest Rutherford Fellowships as helping attract outstanding overseas researchers to Britain.

However, this does not mean every UKRI fellowship has identical international eligibility rules.

Applicants should check:

Nationality Requirements

Residency Conditions

Host Eligibility

and

Immigration Requirements

for each competition.

Can UKRI Fellowships Support Overseas Researchers?

Potentially, depending on the scheme.

International researchers should first identify:

An Eligible UK Host Organisation

where required.

They should then confirm the specific funding call’s international applicant requirements.

Is Visa Support Included?

The general UKRI fellowship overview does not state that every fellowship pays visa costs.

Visa and relocation support must therefore be checked under the individual programme.

UKRI separately provides information about routes including the:

Global Talent Visa

for research and innovation work in the UK.

Can Fellowships Be Part-Time?

Some fellowship programmes provide flexible working arrangements.

The general UKRI framework says fellowship projects require between:

0.5

and

1 Full-Time Equivalent.

Some specific programmes also publish dedicated part-time durations.

How to Find UKRI Fellowships

Researchers should use the:

UKRI Funding Finder.

The service provides information about:

Current Opportunities

Upcoming Opportunities

Eligibility

Funding

Deadlines

and

How to Apply.

Search by Research Council

Applicants can narrow their search according to the research council most relevant to their field.

For example:

Medical Research → MRC

Biological Sciences → BBSRC

Environmental Research → NERC

Engineering and Physical Sciences → EPSRC

Astronomy and Particle Physics → STFC

Social Sciences → ESRC

Arts and Humanities → AHRC.

Search Open and Upcoming Opportunities

Applicants should consider both:

Open

and

Upcoming

calls.

Upcoming opportunities give researchers more time to:

Develop Proposals

Find Host Institutions

and

Build Collaborations.

How to Prepare for a UKRI Fellowship

Competitive fellowship applications usually require substantial preparation.

Researchers should begin by identifying:

The Right Fellowship

The Right Host Organisation

and

A Strong Research or Innovation Idea.

Step 1 — Choose the Correct Fellowship

Do not apply simply because a fellowship has a large funding package.

The fellowship should match:

Your Career Stage

Your Discipline

Your Research Goals

and

Your Experience.

Step 2 — Find a Host Organisation

UKRI states that applicants need host-organisation support before applying.

Potential hosts may include:

Universities

Research Institutes

and, for certain programmes:

Businesses.

Begin these conversations early.

Step 3 — Develop Your Research Vision

Competitive applications should explain:

What You Want to Investigate

Why It Matters

What Is New

and

Why You Are the Right Person to Lead the Work.

Step 4 — Show Career Development

A fellowship is not merely a project grant.

Applicants should demonstrate how the award will help them:

Develop New Skills

Establish Independence

Build Leadership

Transition Into a New Career Stage.

Step 5 — Explain the Host Environment

Applicants should explain why the selected host is a strong environment for the fellowship.

Consider:

Facilities

Research Expertise

Mentorship

Collaborators

and

Professional Development.

Step 6 — Develop a Realistic Budget

Where research expenses are supported, the budget should align clearly with:

Research Activities

and

Project Objectives.

Applicants should carefully follow the relevant council’s funding rules.

Step 7 — Start Before the Deadline

Major fellowship proposals should not be prepared at the last minute.

Allow enough time for:

Internal University Approval

Host Support

Budget Development

Proposal Review

and

Submission.

What Makes a Strong Fellowship Candidate?

There is no universal formula, but strong candidates generally need to demonstrate:

Research Quality

Career Potential

A Clear Research Vision

and

Fit With the Fellowship.

For independence-focused awards, applicants should also show signs of becoming:

Research Leaders.

Demonstrate Independence

Applicants moving from postdoctoral positions toward independent fellowships should explain how their proposed programme differs from:

Previous Supervisors

Research Groups.

The proposal should demonstrate ownership of a distinct research direction.

Demonstrate Leadership Potential

Leadership does not necessarily mean managing a large laboratory.

Examples can include:

Leading Research Projects

Supervising Students

Building Collaborations

Developing New Methods

Creating New Research Networks.

Strengthen Your Research Profile

Applicants preparing for future UKRI competitions can strengthen their profiles through:

Publications

Conference Presentations

Research Collaborations

Public Engagement

and

Previous Funding Experience.

Quality and relevance are generally more useful than simply accumulating large numbers of outputs.

Fellowships Versus Studentships

UKRI fellowships should not be confused with:

Studentships.

Fellowships generally support researchers or innovators at specific career stages.

Studentships usually fund:

Postgraduate Research Training

such as doctoral study.

UKRI notes that students generally do not apply directly to UKRI for studentship funding.

Fellowships Versus Research Grants

A traditional research grant may focus primarily on funding:

A Research Project.

A fellowship typically combines project funding with:

Personal Career Development

and

Research Independence.

This distinction is important when deciding which type of UKRI opportunity to pursue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are UKRI fellowships?

They are prestigious funding awards designed to help individuals make important transitions in research or innovation careers or develop specific capabilities.

How long do UKRI fellowships last?

Fellowships support projects requiring at least:

12 Months.

Individual programmes may last:

18 Months

Three Years

Five Years

or other durations.

Does UKRI pay fellows a salary?

UKRI says fellowships can pay:

All or Part of the Fellow’s Salary.

The exact contribution varies by scheme.

Are research costs covered?

Some fellowships cover:

Part or All Research Costs.

This depends on the individual programme.

Do I need a host organisation?

Yes.

UKRI’s general fellowship guidance says applicants need to find a:

Host Organisation

to support their application before applying.

Can the host be a university?

Yes.

A host may be a:

University

or another eligible research organisation.

Some fellowship programmes also permit eligible:

Businesses.

Are UKRI fellowships fully funded?

It is inaccurate to describe every UKRI fellowship as fully funded.

Some cover all or part of salary costs, while some cover part or all research expenses.

Funding arrangements differ between schemes.

Do I need a PhD?

Many fellowships require a PhD or equivalent research experience, but not all.

Some clinical training fellowships support eligible healthcare professionals pursuing a doctorate.

Are there fellowships for healthcare professionals?

Yes.

MRC programmes include:

Clinician Scientist Fellowships

and

Clinical Research Training Fellowships.

Are there fellowships for environmental researchers?

Yes.

NERC offers:

Independent Research Fellowships.

Are there fellowships for mathematical scientists?

Yes.

EPSRC fellowship opportunities include programmes within:

Mathematical Sciences.

Does UKRI have fellowships for policy researchers?

Yes.

UKRI Policy Fellowships enable eligible researchers to work with government departments on policy challenges.

Are there fellowships for researchers returning after a career break?

Yes.

Daphne Jackson Fellowships support researchers returning after qualifying career breaks.

Can businesses host fellows?

Some programmes, including Future Leaders Fellowships, can support eligible fellows in:

Businesses

as well as universities and independent research organisations.

Are applications open throughout the year?

Different fellowship programmes operate different recruitment cycles.

UKRI says:

New Opportunities Are Added Throughout the Year.

Where can I find current fellowships?

Applicants should use the:

UKRI Funding Finder.

Opportunities Feed Assessment

UKRI’s fellowship portfolio is particularly valuable because it does not offer only one type of research award.

Instead, researchers can explore programmes targeted at:

Early Independence

Research Leadership

Healthcare Careers

Returning Researchers

Discipline Transitions

and

Movement Between Academia and Policy.

For applicants looking for opportunities during September 2026, several significant fellowship deadlines are approaching.

These include the:

UKRI Policy Fellowships

MRC Career Development Fellowship

BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship

and

Ernest Rutherford Fellowship.

Candidates who are not ready for these deadlines should not rush a weak application.

UKRI adds new fellowship opportunities throughout the year, meaning researchers can monitor:

Open

and

Upcoming

competitions and prepare strategically.

One of the most important requirements to understand early is the:

Host Organisation.

Researchers should not wait until the final stages of proposal development before looking for institutional support.

A strong strategy is:

Identify Your Career Stage → Choose the Correct UKRI Fellowship → Find an Eligible Host → Develop Your Research Vision → Confirm Funding Rules → Prepare Well Before the Deadline.

International researchers should also review each fellowship individually rather than assuming universal overseas eligibility.

For researchers seeking substantial support to establish independence, develop new research capabilities or move into leadership, UKRI remains one of the most important research funding organisations to monitor for opportunities across 2026 and 2027.

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