UKRI supports and encourages the development of researchers’ skills and knowledge at all career stages across all our investments. Funding specifically for skills development is largely provided through collective talent funding, as part of our investment in enabling and strengthening UK research and development. This includes:
- doctoral training, with universities using UKRI funds to award studentships to researchers getting their doctorate
- fellowships, which are awarded directly to individual researchers to support them in different stages of their careers
Collective talent funding accounts for nearly 10% of UKRI’s budget. This level of investment means we can offer the studentships and fellowships needed to support research and innovation capabilities nationally.
Funding for skills development may also be supported as part of wider investment, for example:
- through cross-UKRI programmes funding research and innovation in the eight high-growth sectors identified in the UK’s industrial strategy
- by research councils’ project-based funding
Collective talent funding
Councils draw from a central talent budget, investing in their communities using common investment frameworks. This enables a simpler, more consistent approach across councils and promotes collaboration between them. Shaped with input from the research and innovation community, the collective talent funding approach harmonises funding while retaining flexibility for councils to meet the needs of their communities.
Collective talent funding:
- makes talent investment clearer and more consistent for research organisations and researchers
- allows UKRI to better assess and manage awards
- promotes cross-disciplinary and cross-sector training and working
- helps us better deliver on strategic priorities
Last updated: 24 March 2026