UK Research and Innovation
UKRI
The umbrella body for the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England, and the largest public funder of UK research. Runs cross-cutting schemes in its own right, including Future Leaders Fellowships and the strategic themes, and operates the Funding Finder that lists every council opportunity.
- Kind of funder
- Research council
- Where it funds
- UK-wide
- Indicative award size
- £50k+No stated ceiling
- Approx. annual research spend
- £8bn
- Who can apply
- Universities, Research institutes, SMEs, Large businesses, Charities & NGOs, Public sector
- Career stages
- Postdoctoral, Early career, Established researcher
Spans small pump-priming grants to multi-centre programmes worth tens of millions.
Research areas
Named schemes (1)
Future Leaders Fellowships ↗
Seven-year support (four years plus a three-year renewal) for early-career researchers and innovators establishing independence, in universities or businesses. One of the most substantial career awards available in the UK.
Rolling / recurringCheck funder site for current round£800k – £1.5m per awardchecked 2026-05-01