Foundation Future Leaders 2025 - Applications now Open!

Future leaders in science, technology, research and innovation need not only knowledge of the sector they are in – be it higher education, industry, the civil service or elsewhere – but also an understanding of the other parts of the UK’s research and innovation system. The Foundation Future Leaders Programme, launched in 2019, seeks to support the leaders of tomorrow in building the links and knowledge that they will need.

Applications are now open for the Foundation Future Leaders scheme 2025. We are looking for around 35 individuals, approximately 10-12 each from the following categories:

  • Civil servants, parliamentary servants or the wider public sector (including Public Sector Research Establishments, PSREs)
  • Employees from universities, national facilities or similar (including from Catapult Centres, Research Council Institutes or Research Charities)
  • Applicants from industry (including from independent not-for-profit Research & Technology Organisations, RTOs)

The programme will consist of:

Main meetings – with opportunities to meet and question senior figures from science and technology across government, Parliament, industry, universities, academies and charities.

Visits – these could include the UK Parliament in London and the Harwell research campus in Oxfordshire and a UK university. Other possible visits include research facilities for companies, national laboratories such as NPL, international science facilities such as CERN and devolved bodies such as the Scottish Government.

Drop-in sessions – Fortnightly online drop-in sessions - with the agenda set by the Future Leaders.

One-day conference (November 2025) – Organised by the Future Leaders.

Other opportunities are available, including invitations to all Foundation evening discussion events, training videos, publishing blogs, and networking within the cohort itself. The group itself will decide its priorities.

If you are interested in applying, we would love to hear from you. The Foundation actively encourages applications from under-represented groups in science, technology, research and innovation leadership. It would particularly welcome applications from people with BAME and disabled backgrounds. It aims for a 50:50 ratio between male and female participants on the scheme.

To apply, complete the application form and send it, with a 2 page CV and the completed diversity monitoring form, to office@foundation.org.uk. All the details are in the documents. 

Deadline: 12:00 noon on 18th November 2024

If you would like to find out more about the programme before applying, or to discuss any individual circumstances, please email Gavin Costigan (gavin.costigan@foundation.org.uk).