The FLF scheme aims to help the next generation of researchers, tech entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators get the support they need to develop their careers. The scheme is open to the best researchers and innovators from around the world, ensuring the UK continues to attract the most exceptional talent, wherever they may come from. The principal aim of this scheme is to provide funding at a crucial career stage for both early career researchers and for academics where a significant step-change is proposed/expected.
These Fellowships support applicants from diverse career paths, including those returning from a career break or following time in other roles. We also encourage applications from those wishing to work part-time in order to combine the fellowship with personal responsibilities. The support offered will be long-term and flexible, with seven years of support available on a 4+3 model, with a review in year 4. The case for support of the full application should make clear the long-term aims of the programme, and why they matter – while providing more specific plans and costings for the first four years.
Further information is available on the UKRI webpages.
Who can apply?
Early career researchers and innovators who are either transitioning to or establishing independence, or developing their own original and ambitious plans within a commercial setting. There are no eligibility rules based on whether you currently hold a permanent or open-ended position or job role. However you are not eligible to apply if you have already achieved research or innovation independence (for example, by securing funding aimed at this career stage such as another independent fellowship - URF, ERF etc - or by already managing your own significant programme of work within a business). Senior academics are not eligible to apply. If you have questions on eligibility please email a copy of your CV to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk for advice.
Please note, the majority of UKRI research councils do not allow applicants to apply to multiple UKRI fellowship schemes at the same time. Contact us on fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk for advice if you are interested in applying and also have another fellowship currently under consideration currently with UKRI (such as EPSRC, STFC, MRC, BBSRC etc).
Deadlines and timescales (round 10, 2025)
Round 10 has now been announced by UKRI with full applications due in June 2025. This round, the University of Oxford can only support 10 applicants to apply to the scheme across all subject areas. There is therefore an internal selection process at both the department and university-wide level to select candidates. Below is the internal selection information for applicants interested to apply with the Department of Physics as their host department.
Department of Physics EOI process (deadline 6th January 2025)
Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest (EOI) documents to fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk by 23.59 6th January 2025. Your email should include -
- Completed Future Leaders Fellowship EOI form
- Available for download from the box above.
- Note this is not our usual format for Physics internal selection as we are following the university selection documents.
- Cc your Oxford Physics sponsor (an academic based in the department who supports your application)
- If you already hold an academic position (e.g. Associate Professor) in the department this is not needed.
- Name of sub-department you are applying through
- Typically the sub-department your sponsor is based in.
- The Physics sub-departments are 'Astrophysics', 'Atomic and Laser', 'Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics', 'Condensed Matter Physics', 'Particle Physics' and 'Theoretical Physics'.
Review process and number of candidates to be supported
EOIs will be reviewed initially at the sub-department level and then by a full physics panel. EOIs will be reviewed in line with the assessment criteria of the FLF round 10 scheme. The relevant assessment criteria are also listed on the EOI form for each section.
Please note: a requirement of the FLF is the hosts’ “commitment to an open-ended UK-based independent research position to be taken up during or on completion of the fellowship (in line with organisational employment policies and practices)”. For applicants not already holding an position that meets the requirement, Oxford’s policy is to commit that a future open-ended position is expected to become available in the selected applicant’s research area during the course of the fellowship (7 years) that will be filled by open competition. As part of Physics’ internal selection, Head of Sub-departments will therefore be asked to confirm to the panel whether a planned open-ended position that it is expected in your area during the course of the fellowship, and this will inform the selection of Physics candidates.
Physics intends to select a small number of candidates (just 2 or 3) to move to the next stage of the process. Subsequent divisional and university wide selections are then in place to select the final 10 candidates to be supported to apply through Oxford. Further information about the central university process for selected physics candidates is available on the Research Services coordinated bids page.
Guidance for EOI preparation
Part of the EOI form requires the completion of the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI), also known as a narrative CV. Oxford has some excellent guidance (available to external candidates as well as internal) which we encourage you to utilise when completing this section – Oxford narrative CV guidance.
The department is welcoming of EOIs from all applicants and individuals from underrepresented groups in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. Should any candidates have difficulty in securing a sponsor within the department or need further guidance on this please contact the facilitation team and we will endeavour to support you.
Similarly, if there are any additional factors or circumstances that you wish to be considered during our assessment of your EOI – which might include (but is not limited to) career breaks, caring responsibilities, part-time working, disability etc – this can be noted to the selection panels in 'Section E Additional Information' of the EOI form or communicated to the Research Facilitation team alongside submission of your EOI.
If you are likely to need any specific support or accommodations during the application process, please communicate this to us (in confidence if required): fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.