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Find details of funding calls that require a UCL internal selection process or other internal coordination managed by our Research Coordination teams, and information about the application process.
Sometimes, funders will limit the number of applications an institution can submit for a particular call or require applications to undergo an internal review and approval process before submission. UCL has an internal selection process for such calls.
Details of upcoming internally managed funding calls are listed below, along with supporting guidance for applicants. Also listed are calls where other internal selection activities have been put in place to support UCL staff interested in leading or participating in a funding bid. Closed calls over the past 12 months can also be viewed using the link below for reference.
If you are aware of an external funding opportunity where the number of proposals UCL can submit is limited, that is not listed here, contact the Research Coordination team supporting your faculty.
Open calls
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Round 11: Pre-announcement of UCL process | UCL deadline: 14 January 2026
Scope
UK Research and Innovation's (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) scheme offers funding for up to 7 years to develop, retain, attract and sustain research and innovation talent in the UK, foster new research and innovation career paths, and provide long-term, flexible funding to tackle difficult and novel challenges.
Round 11 of the UKRI FLF scheme will open on 2 February 2026 as confirmed in their pre-announcement. The information below outlines UCL’s internal process for managing applications to the scheme to support planning.
Note: This is a pre-announcement. Some details may change when the full call is announced on 2 February 2026. Updates will be made to this page shortly after this date – please check back for the latest details.
Details
- Career stage: Early-career researchers and innovators looking to transition to independence
- Funding: No limit - requests should be appropriate to the project (previous projects have ranged from £300,000-£2,000,000)
- Duration: Up to 7 years (4 years in the first phase with the option to renew for a further 3 years)
- Number of UCL applications allowed: 10 (+2 additional clinical applications TBC)
- UCL application deadline: 12noon, 14 January 2026
- Funder deadline: 16 June 2026
Further information and how to apply
Visit the UKRI website for full call details and eligibility criteria for Round 10. Round 11 requirements are broadly expected to be the same.
Note: The scheme requires substantial commitment from UCL as the host institution. Potential internal and external applicants are advised to contact the relevant department in the first instance to register their interest in this scheme and discuss support. Expressions of Interest (EOI) cannot be submitted without agreement from the relevant Head of Department.
Internal selection process
1. Department stage
Internal applicants should submit an internal EOI form using the submission platform for internal applicants. External applicants should submit an EOI via the submission platform for external applicants and send a copy to ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk for consideration by the relevant UCL department.
2. Faculty stage
Faculties will shortlist candidates within their allocated cap. Applicants should speak to their department for information on the shortlisting process.
3. UCL central stage
Faculty nominations should be submitted via email to ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk by 4pm, 6 February 2026. Nominations should be submitted by the Faculty Research Manager or Vice-Dean for Research (or named deputy). Faculty-nominated candidates will be invited to submit their application by 12pm (noon) on 23 February 2026. The central UCL panel will meet end of March 2026, and outcomes will be sent to candidates at the end of March/beginning of April 2026. Selected candidates will need to submit their proposals to UKRI by 16 June 2026.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply to the FLF scheme. UCL will collect diversity and monitoring data for this selection process. EDI data for internal candidates can be collected via Inside UCL using your UCL email address. Internal candidates are encouraged to review and ensure their information is up to date if they consent to this data being collected. External candidates can submit their EDI data through the central submission platform linked above. Providing this data is optional. Read our privacy notice for details on data processing and usage.
Supporting documents
- (for internal and external candidates)
Additional resources for applicants
- EPSRC Reimagining Circularity: Outline Stage | Deadline: 15 January 2026
Scope
The UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have pre-announced the Reimagining Circularity outline-stage call.
Proposals are invited to establish a NetworkPlus that will build new capacity, strengthen communities, and enhance research to innovation capabilities focused on the circular economy in 1 of the following priority areas:
- Built environment
- Textiles
- Data and metrics
EPSRC and Defra will fund 3 NetworkPlus investments - 1 in each priority area - to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across research and stakeholder communities. Successful teams will need to adopt an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approach (or both), including industrial partners.
Details
- Funding: up to £5.41million FEC (EPSRC will fund 80% FEC for up to 36 months)
- Number of UCL applications allowed: No institutional cap. Individuals can only appear on 1 application as project lead and only 2 projects in total
- EPSRC deadline: 4pm, 15 January 2026
Further information and how to apply
Visit the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
For any queries, contact Debi Kenny at debi.kenny@ucl.ac.uk
UCL briefing and roundtable discussion
To support UCL’s response to the call, our Research Coordination team will host an internal online briefing and roundtable discussion for all interested UCL staff on Monday 24 November, 2.30pm-4pm on MS Teams. Register to attend
Chaired by Professor Ian Hamilton (Vice Dean of Research at the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment), the session will include:
- An overview of the scheme
- Insights on NetworkPlus from Professor Cathy Holloway (Department of Computer Science), Principal Investigator of the EPSRC-funded TIDAL N+ NetworkPlus)
- Time for questions and discussion
- AHRC Design Generators | UCL deadline: 18 February 2026
Scope
The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Design Generators call offers funding for innovative, design-led research projects that contribute to the green transition. Projects should generate new arts and humanities-based approaches that harness design to address environmental sustainability, decarbonisation, circular economies, policy design, and regenerative practices.
Funding will support projects that:
- Co-develop interventions with a non-academic partner to support sustained impact beyond the grant
- Collaborate with communities or stakeholders to ensure relevance to lived experience
- Promote behaviour change through policymaking, regulation, or ‘nudging’
- Demonstrate the value of academic design research in tackling locally relevant, real-world challenges on the path to net zero
Projects need to include a non-academic partner listed as a co-investigator (subject to eligibility) and engage with Future Observatory throughout the lifetime of the project.
The AHRC is investing £1million to fund 5-6 awards nationally. As UCL can only submit 2 applications as the lead institution, an internal coordination process has been put in place.
This is the first of 2 rounds taking place in 2026.
Details
- Funding: £150,000-£200,000 FEC
- Career stage: Any post-PhD (or equivalent experience)
- Duration: 9-12months
- Number of UCL applications allowed: 2
- UCL deadline: 12noon, 18 February 2026
- AHRC deadline: 9 April 2026
Further information and how to apply
Visit the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
Interested applicants should submit an Expression of Interest form to ovpr.slashioe@ucl.ac.uk by noon on 18 February 2026.
The AHRC is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to provide further information about the call and offer applicants an opportunity to ask questions. Register to attend the webinar
Internal selection process
If more than 2 EOIs are received, a prioritisation process will be initiated. A panel convened by our Research Coordination team will meet shortly after the UCL deadline to review submissions. Applicants will be informed of outcomes around the end of February 2026, or sooner if a panel is not required.
A budget is not required for the EOI form. However, due to the short turnaround, departments may wish to secure approval and draft a rough costing. Applicants should contact their departmental research support staff for advice.
Supporting documents
- Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowships – Accelerated International Route | UCL deadline: open
Scope
The Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowships are prestigious, long-term awards supporting outstanding research leaders to undertake original, high-quality research. The Accelerated International Route, launched in 2025, enables UK institutions to fast-track the recruitment of mid-career researchers currently based overseas to establish world-leading research groups. This route is intended for strategically important, time-sensitive appointments that will strengthen UK research.
Candidates need to be nominated by their UK host institution. Applicants may apply to either the Accelerated International Route or the standard Faraday Discovery Fellowships round, but not both simultaneously.
Details
- Career stage: Mid-career (10-20 years post-PhD)
- Funding: Up to £4million
- Duration: 5 years
- Number of UCL applications allowed: No limit
- UCL internal deadline: at least 1 month before funder deadline
- Funder deadline: 25 November 2025 (Round 2), 25 February 2026 (Round 3)
Further information and how to apply
Visit the Royal Society website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
For queries about the call or internal process, contact the BEAMS Research Coordination team at ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk.
Internal coordination process
Candidates need to meet the Royal Society’s eligibility criteria and should:
- Have 10–20 years of research experience post-PhD
- Be internationally recognised leaders in their field
- Have managed significant research grants as Principal Investigator
- Demonstrate major contributions to research over the past 10 years
- Have well-established international networks and plans to expand them
Successful candidates will need to have a full-time, permanent contract at the host organisation before the award begins.
Nominations need to be submitted by the UCL President & Provost's Office, with support from our Research Coordination team. If a faculty wishes to nominate a candidate, the dean or their nominated representative needs to:
- Email ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk as early as possible to confirm faculty support and outline the rationale for using the accelerated route
- Provide all required nomination details (as listed in the Royal Society scheme notes, pages 15–18), including a draft of the 500-word statement of support
- Submit this information at least 1 month before the relevant funder deadline
Our Research Coordination team will liaise with the President & Provost’s Office to ensure timely submission.
- AXA Research Chairs | UCL deadline: open
Scope
The AXA Chair is a competitive funding scheme for senior researchers, supporting the creation of a full-time academic post aligned with the host institution’s strategic priorities. The scheme is designed to strengthen research in key areas and accelerate the career of the appointed AXA Professor.
Funded by the AXA Research Fund, the scheme focuses on societal challenges and risks.
Details
- Career level: Senior (PhD + 10 years minimum)
- Funding: up to €1 million (paid in instalments of up to €200,000 per year)
- Duration: 5 years
- Number of UCL applications allowed: 2
- Annual deadline: October
Further information and how to apply
Visit the AXA website for full call details and eligibility criteria. Contact the BEAMS Research Coordination team at ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk if you have any questions about the internal process.
UCL applications need to be linked to a planned recruitment process, as the host institution is expected to create a permanent, full-time role. The scheme runs annually with a deadline in October, and only 1 application is permitted per institution. Applications are managed by the Research Coordination teams.
Applicants should first consult the relevant Head of Department and Dean. If there is interest in applying, the host Faculty Dean (or representative) should notify the relevant Research Coordination team as early as possible, no later than 8 weeks before the AXA Expression of Interest deadline.
If more than 2 expressions of interest are received, a prioritisation process will be led by the Research Coordination teams in consultation with the relevant faculty leadership.
- EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure | UCL deadline: open
Scope
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Strategic Infrastructure scheme supports research infrastructure in UK universities. There are 2 routes within the opportunity:
- Funding for new strategic infrastructure of value over £400,000
- Resources to support existing strategic infrastructure when invited by EPSRC.
Expressions of interest (EOI) from academics or research technical professionals are welcome. Proposals need to benefit the UK research community, including those beyond UCL. Infrastructure should be unique in the UK or proposed to be used in a unique way. Proposals need to be:
- Strategically important to the department(s) involved
- Evidenced by meaningful support (cash/in-kind).
Engagement with the appropriate Heads of Department and/or Research Directors is required as part of the EOI process. Where multiple EoIs are received from a department, they will be asked to rank them by priority.
UCL may only submit a limited number of applications between June 2024 and June 2025 and will run an internal process with a focus on the number of submissions put forward and the timing of submissions. Institutional oversight at an early stage will facilitate later stages of the process where the Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) (RIGE) is required to attend the final interview.
Details
- Funding: Over £400,000, including VAT
- Number of UCL applications allowed: Up to 6 by 17 June 2026
- Deadline: Open (until June 2026)
- Internal batch dates: 12 noon, 24 July 2025, 09 October 2025, 14 January 2026, 30 March 2026
An internal webinar was held on Thursday 24 April 2025 for those interested in applying to this call. Watch the recording (UCL login required).
Further information and how to apply
Visit the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
EOIs may be submitted at any time via the EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure - UCL internal EoI Form. Contact Jon Williams (BEAMS Research Coordination team) at jon.williams@ucl.ac.uk if you have any questions about the scheme.
Internal selection process
Submissions will be batched quarterly and considered at the next batching meeting by a small representative panel of Vice-Deans (Research), convened by the Research Coordination Office (BEAMS). They will assess the strategic case made by the applicant and whether the ideas are appropriate to prepare for submission to EPSRC, before deciding which submissions to put forward.
To ensure a spread of applications across UCL areas of expertise and interest, the panel will look at:
- The competitiveness of the proposal against the scheme criteria
- Fit to department, faculty and central strategic priorities
- If EPSRC has already considered the proposal
- The range of remits and the type of equipment being proposed.
The panel will then make one of 3 recommendations:
- EoI to go forward as an outline proposal - Applicants will be given a submission deadline to enable UCL to manage the flow of applications. Applicants will receive support from the BEAMS Research Coordination team, alongside faculty and department input.
- EoI not yet ready - Applicants will be given feedback on why the EoI was considered not yet ready for submission. Applicants can resubmit to the internal EoI process again when ready. Ideas can only be resubmitted once unless explicitly invited by the panel.
- EoI not suitable to go forward - If an application is out of remit for EPSRC, not appropriate for the scheme, or is an internal resubmission which is not sufficiently improved, it will be rejected.
Panel recommendations will be shared with applicants as soon as possible, following approval from the Vice-Provost (RIGE).
Proposals submitted to EPSRC as an outline are sometimes rejected and invited to resubmit by EPSRC. EPSRC-invited resubmissions will need to go through the internal EoI process again. The panel will take into account that EPSRC-invited resubmissions have been encouraged to reapply by the funder.
- Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships | UCL deadline: open
Scope
The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships scheme supports the permanent recruitment of an overseas research leader to a UK university. The scheme aims to:
- Enable UK universities and research institutions to recruit and attract outstanding overseas research leaders by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research; and
- Strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important.
Candidates should:
- Have a proven track record for high-quality scientific research
- Be currently based overseas.
The research needs to fall within the Royal Society's remit of natural sciences. This scheme is distinct from the Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship scheme.
Details
- Career stage: Mid or Senior career
- Funding: up to £300,000
- Duration: 5 years
- Number of UCL applications allowed: Usually 1 per institution per round
Further information and how to apply
Visit the Royal Society website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
Contact the BEAMS Research Coordination team at ovpr.beams@ucl.c.uk if you have any questions about the internal process.
Internal process process
The scheme runs 2 rounds each year, with the Royal Society typically allowing only 1 application per institution per round (exceptions are rare). Therefore, applications will be overseen by our Research Coordination teams.
Applications need to be tied to a UCL recruitment process. Candidates do not need to have a formal offer of employment at the point of application. However, award holders will still be expected to be offered (the equivalent of) a full-time post at a UK institution. This intention should be clearly stated in the institutional letter of support.
International researchers who have arrived in the UK before the application deadline will now be allowed to apply for the scheme, with the expectation that they would not normally have been in the UK for more than 6 months. A justification will be requested for applicants already based in the UK at the point of application. Award holders can start their Fellowship up to one year from the award offer being made.
UCL is expected to demonstrate why the proposed research area is a strategic priority, outlining institutional commitments and the candidate’s potential impact on the field, the department, and UK science
If more than 1 candidate is nominated in the same round, the Royal Society requires:
- A strong justification aligned with institutional priorities
- An outline of the selection process
- A commitment of additional support (direct or in-kind) for the nominee.
Applicants should first consult the relevant Head of Department and Dean. If someone wishes to apply, the host Faculty Dean (or representative) should inform the relevant Research Coordination team as early as possible, no later than 6 weeks before the Royal Society deadline.
If more than 2 expressions of interest are received, a prioritisation process will be led by the Research Coordination teams in consultation with faculty leadership.
- Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships | UCL deadline: open
Scope
The Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowships offer talented international research leaders the opportunity to undertake a flexible 12-month sabbatical in a UK university or research institution.
The scheme aims to enable the Visiting Fellow and the host UK organisation to develop ongoing collaborative research links and to share ideas and best practices.
The scheme has 2 rounds per year, with varying deadlines typically in autumn, spring, and summer. For each round, the Royal Society require UCL to manage the number of proposals it puts forward.
Details
- Career stage: Mid/Senior career (emerging or senior leaders)
- Funding: Up to £125,000
- Duration: Up to 12 months full-time, with a minimum stay of 3 months, or flexibly over 2 years
- UCL deadline: At least 6 weeks before the call deadline
Further information and how to apply
Visit the Royal Society website for full call details and eligibility criteria.
Expressions of Interest for a scheme round should be submitted to the BEAMS Research Coordination team via email (ovpr.beams@ucl.ac.uk) at least 6 weeks before the Royal Society's deadline.
Host UCL departments that wish to nominate a candidate for the scheme should submit the candidate’s CV, as well as a supporting statement signed by the Head of Department (2 sides of A4 maximum), highlighting the:
- Strategic case for the nomination and fit to institutional research strengths and strategies
- Mutual benefit to UCL and the researcher, including the potential to develop ongoing international collaborative links, share ideas and practice
- High quality and originality of the candidate’s proposed research vision, and the contribution that the researcher can make to the furtherance of UK research in their field
- Suitability of the host Department/Division/Institute/Faculty for the candidate, and its commitment to supporting the researcher during the sabbatical period.
Should a high volume of planned applications for any given round, a prioritisation process may be put in place centrally or at faculty level, with proposals considered by a small, representative academic panel against the scheme criteria.