# Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowships

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** £3M–£5M (up to £8M total programme)
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, hosted by an eligible UK host organisation
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/turing-ai-world-leading-researcher-fellowships-round-two/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Personal fellowship for internationally leading AI researchers, held at an eligible UK host organisation (universities, research council institutes, UKRI-approved independent research organisations, public sector research establishments, or NHS bodies). UKRI funds 80% of full economic cost; applicants need not be UK residents but must be employed by the UK host for time committed to the fellowship. Proposals applying existing AI methods to an application area are not accepted.

## Summary

The Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowships, funded by EPSRC, provide up to £3M-£5M over up to 5 years for internationally leading AI researchers to be hosted at an eligible UK organisation. The fellowship is a personal award rather than a consortium grant, and it specifically excludes proposals that merely apply existing AI methods to an application area, the research must advance AI methodology itself. Applicants do not need to be UK residents but must be employed by the UK host for the time committed to the fellowship.

## Who should apply

- Internationally leading AI researchers at senior career stage
- Researchers willing to be employed by a UK host organisation (university, research council institute, UKRI-approved IRO, PSRE, or NHS body)
- Non-UK residents are eligible provided they are employed by the UK host for time committed
- Applicants advancing fundamental or methodological AI research, not applications of existing AI methods
- Individual applicants rather than consortium leads

## Key dates

- Up to 5-year fellowship duration
- UKRI funds 80% of full economic cost

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the proposal around advancing AI methods themselves, reviewers reject proposals that apply existing AI techniques to a domain problem.
- Make the case for 'world-leading' status explicitly with track record evidence, since this is a named eligibility bar, not a generic quality threshold.
- Confirm the host organisation's eligibility and employment arrangements early, since the fellow must be employed by the UK host for the committed time even if not UK-resident.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowship provide?

Awards range from £3M to £5M, with the overall programme totalling up to £8M.

### Do I need to be a UK resident to apply?

No, applicants do not need to be UK residents, but they must be employed by the UK host organisation for the time committed to the fellowship.

### Can I apply if my research applies existing AI methods to a specific domain?

No, proposals that apply existing AI methods to an application area are not accepted; the fellowship funds advances in AI methodology itself.

### How long does the Turing AI Fellowship last?

Fellowships run for up to 5 years.

### Does this fellowship require a consortium?

No, it is a personal fellowship for an individual applicant hosted by a single eligible UK host organisation.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-turing-ai-world-leading-researcher-fellowships-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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