In September 2025, the UK Government announced that the SSA would lead a new programme to develop the next generation of leaders in addiction science. Read more about the flagship research leadership programme below.

Beginning in 2025, the SSA will deliver the Addiction Healthcare Goals flagship research leadership programme – “providing funding for academic and career development programmes tailored to the specific demands of the addiction research field”.

What is Addiction Healthcare Goals?

Addiction Healthcare Goals aims to foster the development of innovative interventions for addiction, and to bring charities, NHS services, the criminal justice system, and community organisations together to test, evaluate, and roll out new treatments and technologies. It is one of five programmes that the UK Government’s Office for Life Sciences established to tackle major health and social challenges. These programmes were: (1) Addiction Healthcare Goals; (2) Cancer Healthcare Goals; (3) Dementia Goals; (4) Mental Health Goals; and (5) Obesity Healthcare Goals.

To date, activities from Addiction Healthcare Goals have included:

What will the flagship research leadership programme entail?

The Addiction Healthcare Goals flagship research leadership programme will include up to £10 million of funding towards training, qualifications, and projects for researchers in addiction science. The SSA will lead the programme, delivering:

  • Master’s bursaries
  • Pre-doctoral support
  • PhD studentships
  • Post-doctoral support
  • Fellowships
  • Leadership training bursaries

The National Institute for Health and Care Research and Medical Research Council will also facilitate career development through funding opportunities from pre-doctoral to post-doctoral levels.

In line with the broader Addiction Healthcare Goals programme, all funding through the flagship research leadership programme will support people and projects that drive innovative responses to addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol. Research that solely focuses on primary prevention, nicotine, tobacco, or behavioural addictions will not be eligible for funding. However, the SSA will continue to offer other funding opportunities for researchers who support the Society’s mission to advance the scientific understanding of addictive products and behaviours and the use of this knowledge in policy and practice.

Strong applications for funding through the flagship research leadership programme will demonstrate how the research aligns with:

What can I expect next?

Over the next 12 months, the SSA will open applications for several funding schemes. The immediate focus will be on promoting and awarding PhD studentships and fellowships, so that these three-year programmes can begin by October 2026. Applications for clinical PhDs and fellowships will also be encouraged. These could include applicants proposing ongoing clinical work (up to 20%) with an NHS, third sector, or other public health clinical healthcare provider.

The expected timeline for applications in 2025/2026 is:

  • November 2025: Open the first round of applications for PhD studentships and fellowships
  • February 2026: Open applications for pre- and post-doctoral transitional support schemes
  • April 2026: Open applications for master’s bursaries
  • April 2026: Open a second round of applications for PhD studentships and fellowships if awards remain unallocated

Where can I find out more?