This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

09 Jul 2026 at 15:26

Tender

09 Jul 2026 at 15:25

Summary of the contracting process

The UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is seeking a supplier to deliver a comprehensive programme as part of the Future Leaders Fellowship Development Network, aimed at nurturing the next generation of research and innovation leaders. Located in Swindon, Wiltshire, the initiative is an open procurement process under the services category, with a significant budget of up to £7,560,000 over a potential five-year term. Suppliers must ensure engagement across various sectors including academia and business, with the contract initially spanning three years from 8th October 2026, potentially extending to 7th October 2031. The closing date for tender submissions is 7th September 2026, and the process aligns with UK legislation 2023/54.

This tender offers a considerable opportunity for businesses specialising in business and management consultancy services, as well as those involved in research and development. With a substantial emphasis on quality (accounting for 90% of the criteria), businesses demonstrating a robust capability to interface with diverse stakeholders and deliver significant impact will be well-suited. The potential to access additional flexible grant funds for fellows further adds to the opportunity, facilitating innovative collaborations and initiatives for growth within the buyer's expansive networks. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, providing a lucrative avenue for businesses aiming to expand their footprint in the public sector consulting landscape.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

UKRI-5492 - Future Leaders Fellowships Development Network Supplier Contract 3

Notice Description

UKRI are looking for a supplier to deliver the next iteration of the Future Leaders Fellowship Development Network. The Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) scheme was launched in 2018 and is a major cross-UKRI investment with the aim of developing the next generation of research and innovation leaders. It supports researchers and innovators with outstanding potential based in universities, eligible UK registered businesses, and other research and user environments including charities and research councils' institutes laboratories. The FLF Scheme has funded over 700 fellows since its inception. Initially, FLF awards were predominantly made to academic hosted fellows, the number business-hosted fellows have grown year on year and now comprise a significant part of the cohort. The supplier must demonstrate the capability to deliver a programme that engages a broad range of stakeholders across UKRI's landscape including academia, business and other sectors. The delivery model must ensure access to appropriate expertise across disciplines, sectors and organisational types, reflecting the diversity of the cohort supported by UKRI. The Contract duration shall be for a period of three (3) years with an optional extension of a two (2) year period following a mid-point review, which will assess progress against the agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and wider objectives (see further information below). The value of the opportunity is: PS3,780,000.00 for the first 3 years, with a further PS2,520,000.00 available for the final two years should the review be successful. The supplier will also hold and administer flexible funds to enable fellows to act on opportunities presented by the cohort themselves, maximising the impact of their work via a grant funding agreement, totaling up to PS378,000.00 for the first 3 years, with a further PS252,000.00 available for the final two years should the review be successful.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Two year extension subject to approval

Renewal: Two year extension subject to approval

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ec
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064885-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,300,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Oct 2026 - 7 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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