New Generation Thinkers is a career development scheme for early career researchers to:
- develop their communication and media skills
- engage the public with their research and ideas
The scheme is a partnership between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the BBC.
The search for the next New Generation Thinkers will begin in autumn.
If your application is successful, you’ll learn how to communicate research findings to the widest possible audience.
The scheme gives participants the opportunity to:
- create programme ideas with experienced BBC producers at workshops
- work with the team at BBC Radio 4 to get your ideas on air
- get media training
- take part in a workshop around engaging policymakers
- get involved with the AHRC-funded Being Human Festival
New Generation Thinkers has run since 2010. Each year a number of applicants are invited to create ideas with the BBC, of which we select the next cohort of New Generation Thinkers.
You can find the currently open New Generation Thinkers funding opportunity on the UKRI funding finder once it’s launched
In 2025 the scheme moved home from BBC Radio 3 (where it had been based since its first year in 2010) to BBC Radio 4.
Over the last 15 years, we have welcomed 145 early career researchers on to the scheme and an additional 730 researchers have attended workshops, with some going on to appear on BBC programmes as guests.
Researchers that have been New Generation Thinkers have used it as an opportunity to:
- develop their skills and experience of being communicators
- build new relationships and collaborations
- develop their approach to engaging the public with research
Previous winners
See a list of previous winners.
Listen to content created by previous winners on BBC Sounds (search for ‘New Generation Thinkers’).
Last updated: 30 March 2026