Although the external calls are not expected to open until later this year, we are opening our internal recruitment now to give applicants additional time to shape strong, competitive submissions.
UK Young Academy
Established in 2022, the UK Young Academy brings together early‑career professionals, researchers, clinicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across the UK to collaborate on global challenges.
It is supported by leading national academies, including The Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Learned Society of Wales and the Royal Irish Academy.
The external call is expected to open later in spring 2025, with deadlines anticipated for mid‑July.
Eligibility criteria:
- Early career professionals
- 3-12 years of experience (career breaks considered)
- Evidence of excellence and impact
- UK residency
Applicants are required to provide:
- A career history
- A personal statement covering leadership, innovation, interdisciplinary work and international engagement
- A three‑minute vision video
- Contact details for two referees
Membership lasts five years, with an expected time commitment of 4-5 hours per month.
Global Young Academy
The Global Young Academy (GYA) brings together outstanding early‑career scholars from around the world who demonstrate research excellence and a strong commitment to societal impact. It promotes international collaboration, leadership development, and global scientific dialogue. Last year, Loughborough proudly welcomed its first GYA member.
The next GYA call will be open 15 July – 15 September 2026.
Eligibility criteria:
- Early-stage independent researchers
- 3-10 years post‑PhD
- Evidence of scientific excellence and societal engagement
Applications usually include:
- Biographical information
- Short essays on independence, impact, interdisciplinary work, vision, and career challenges
- A CV
- Letter(s) of support
- A declaration document
Membership lasts five years, requiring around 4 hours per month, and new members are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting.
Application Support for Young Academy Applicants
Enhanced Academic Practice (Organisation Development & Change) is offering bespoke support for a limited number of UKYA and GYA applicants. This includes:
- Cross‑disciplinary mentorship and constructive feedback
- Guidance on written components
- Support for video submissions (UKYA applicants only)
To put yourself forward to receive support from the University with your application, please complete the submission form by midnight on 13 April 2026.
Enhanced Academic Practice, Senior Management within Schools, and where appropriate the Vice-Chancellor’s Office will review expressions of interest and allocate support accordingly.
We encourage applications from colleagues with a strong track record of leading in their field, including those with significant industry or external connections, those with non‑traditional or non‑linear career paths, and those whose excellence and impact are demonstrated beyond publications and grants. We particularly welcome interest from colleagues from marginalised communities.
Become a Young Academy Mentor
We welcome staff and alumni who are passionate about supporting emerging leaders.
As a mentor, you will be asked to:
- Support up to two applicants
- Provide approximately three hours of guidance per mentee between June and July 2025
- Offer feedback on written applications and, where possible, on video submissions
If you would like to volunteer, please complete the submission form by midnight on 13 April 2026, and inform your line manager. Contributions will be shared with senior leadership.
About the Academies
Loughborough continues to stand out nationally for its engagement with the Young Academies. In discussions last week, the UK Young Academy highlighted that Loughborough regularly serves as an example of how a university can actively champion and promote the Academy’s work and membership opportunities, reflected in the consistently high number of strong applications they receive from us.
This success is driven not only by the exceptional talent across our University, but also by the bespoke support programme led by Enhanced Academic Practice, which applicants consistently describe as highly beneficial — irrespective of the application outcome.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings said: “I’m a strong advocate of the Young Academies and wholeheartedly encourage colleagues and alumni who are emerging leaders to apply. These prestigious, interdisciplinary initiatives align closely with our University’s vision and values, offering a powerful opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful societal change both nationally and internationally.
"I also encourage colleagues in leadership roles who may not be applying themselves, to consider becoming mentors. Your support can make a real difference in guiding applicants through this exciting opportunity, and it’s also a great way to expand your own networks and connections across the institution.
"As part of my commitment to this work, I’m pleased to share that I have been invited to join the inaugural Advisory Board of the Young Academy, known as the ‘Friends of the Academy’. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s development and helping ensure it continues to offer an inspiring and impactful experience for all involved.”
Whether you are considering applying or supporting others as a mentor, we would love to hear from you. For further information, please contact Dr Katryna Kalawsky k.e.a.kalawsky@lboro.ac.uk.