The UK Government has committed up to £10 million to develop the next generation of addiction research leaders. The Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) will lead this landmark programme focused on drug and alcohol science.

The Addiction Healthcare Goals flagship research leadership programme is now open for applications. Funding is available across multiple career stages, from master’s bursaries through to fellowships and leadership training grants. Applications for PhD studentships and fellowships close on 30 July 2026.

What Is the Addiction Healthcare Goals Programme?

Addiction Healthcare Goals is one of five programmes the UK Government’s Office for Life Sciences set up to tackle major health and social challenges. The others cover cancer, dementia, mental health, and obesity.

The addiction programme aims to foster innovative interventions. It also brings together charities, NHS services, the criminal justice system, and community organisations to test and evaluate new treatments and technologies. So far, it has collaborated with the Mental Health Research Incubator to offer research placements and internships. It has also run a priority-setting partnership with the James Lind Alliance to identify the ten most pressing questions in addiction research.

Therefore, the launch of the addiction research leadership programme represents its most significant investment yet.

A Structured Pathway for Addiction Research Leaders

The SSA will fund a full pipeline of career development opportunities through the addiction research leadership programme. These include master’s bursaries, pre-doctoral support, PhD studentships, post-doctoral support, fellowships, and leadership training grants.

Additionally, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council will support career development. Both bodies will provide funding from pre-doctoral to post-doctoral levels, broadening the network available to researchers across the UK.

All funding targets projects that tackle addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol. Research focused solely on primary prevention, nicotine, tobacco, or behavioural addictions falls outside the scope of this funding round.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Strong applications must show clear alignment with three key frameworks. First, applicants should address the ten priority research questions the James Lind Alliance identified. Second, they should reflect the aims of Addiction Healthcare Goals. Third, they should support the objectives of the UK Government’s 10-year drug strategy, “From Harm to Hope.”

Consequently, funded research will contribute to a coherent national effort. It will also help reduce the impact of illicit drug and alcohol addiction across communities throughout the UK.

First Cohort of Addiction Research Leaders Announced

In June 2026, the SSA announced the first cohort of PhD students and fellows. Six researchers secured funding through a competitive application process. Together, they bring a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds to the addiction research field.

Their projects span early adolescent cannabis use, women’s recovery, persistent pain in drug treatment, community access to treatment services, and emergency service engagement in Scotland. Furthermore, their work reflects the breadth of issues the addiction research leadership programme addresses, from understanding the roots of addiction among young people to improving the pathways through which individuals access support.

Applications Still Open

Several funding opportunities through the addiction research leadership programme remain open. Master’s bursaries opened on 8 April 2026 with no closing date. Pre-doctoral and post-doctoral support ran from 9 April to 4 July 2026. PhD studentships and fellowships are open until 30 July 2026. Leadership training grant dates are yet to be confirmed.

Moreover, the SSA continues to welcome applications from researchers committed to advancing the scientific understanding of drug and alcohol addiction. In 2023, drug-related deaths in the UK reached their highest recorded level, making this kind of investment in addiction science more urgent than ever. The SSA encourages those who want to shape evidence-based policy and services to explore the available funding routes today.

Source: dbrecoveryresources