NIHR Future Focused Leadership Programme 2025

Omran Aburayya
May 13
3 min read

If you're a researcher or senior leader in health and social care looking to elevate your leadership capacity, the NIHR Future Focused Leadership Programme 2025 is now accepting applications. Fully funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK, this 12-month programme is designed to help emerging and established leaders in the NIHR ecosystem build their leadership effectiveness through an immersive, evidence-based development journey.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

Location: United Kingdom (various venues and online delivery)
Host Institution: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Level: Early- and mid-career researchers, senior health research leaders
Target Group: NIHR Academy Members (postdoctoral and senior leaders)
Focus: Leadership in health and social care research
Award Value: Fully funded (includes residential training, coaching, and materials)
Award Duration: 12 months
Application Deadline: 3 June 2025, 1:00 PM (UK time)
Start Date: 2025 (dates provided post-selection)
Eligible to: NIHR-affiliated researchers and leaders meeting specific eligibility criteria

🧠 Programme Overview

The Future Focused Leadership Programme (FFLP) offers a year-long opportunity for participants to reflect on their strengths, tackle leadership challenges, and grow in their ability to lead individuals, teams, and change initiatives within the NIHR and broader health research system. The curriculum draws heavily on occupational and applied positive psychology, enabling participants to apply modern leadership models to their roles.

Participants will engage in a structured learning journey that combines in-person residencies, online modules, peer learning, and individual coaching, all within a multidisciplinary cohort of 40 fellows.

🎁 Programme Benefits

No cost to participants—fully funded by NIHR
Network with senior and emerging leaders in UK health and care research
Learn from applied leadership science and expert coaching
Gain access to a structured training model with immediate workplace application
Certificate of completion and enhanced recognition within the NIHR system
All participants benefit from personalized coaching, action learning, and peer mentoring

✅ Streams and Eligibility

1. Emerging Research Leaders Stream

For early- to mid-career researchers who are:

At least two years postdoctoral
NIHR Academy Members (including those based in NIHR Infrastructure, Schools, or Research Units)
Holding a competitive, structured training/career award with at least 25% NIHR funding
In their first formal leadership or management role

This stream helps you learn what leadership looks like across individual, team, and institutional contexts, and supports your progression toward senior leadership roles.

2. Leaders Stream

For established senior leaders within NIHR who are:

Leading at a national level for NIHR
Holding roles such as NIHR Research Professors or Senior Investigators
Facing complex leadership challenges that impact strategic outcomes

This stream enhances strategic thinking, influence, and ability to lead across organisational boundaries.

🧩 Programme Structure

3 x 2-day residential workshops
2 x 90-minute one-on-one coaching sessions
2 x 90-minute action learning sessions
Online webinars and self-directed e-learning modules
Peer sharing and project-based leadership development

All components are crafted to provide direct value to the participant’s current leadership role, making the programme highly practical.

📝 Application Procedure

Submit your application via NIHR’s award management system by 3 June 2025 at 1:00 PM UK time
Read the official application guidance before completing your form

📝Application Components

Detailed personal and leadership experience profile
Motivation and leadership challenge statement
For leaders stream: clear evidence of national-level leadership influence

🕵🏻 Selection Process

Initial eligibility screening by NIHR
Each eligible application is reviewed and scored by a panel of NIHR senior leaders
All applicants will receive outcomes via email the week of 15 September 2025

ℹ️ Additional Information

Participants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply
If you’ve applied before and were unsuccessful, you are welcome to reapply
Those who previously joined the emerging leader stream can apply for the leaders stream if now in a national role

❓For questions, reach out to the NIHR Academy Awards Team:Call: +44 (0)113 532 8444