This programme will develop a cohort of future leaders in the cultural heritage sector, by supporting Early Career Research Fellows to develop ambitious and innovative research projects, buttressed by a robust and expansive career development and mentoring programme, in partnership with the IRO community and wider GLAM sector. This programme is designed to address current shortcomings in the sector, most notably the break in the pipeline after the end of doctoral students' studies, by providing a cohort of Early Career Fellows with a thorough grounding of key issues in the cultural and heritage sector, equip them with the tools, techniques and confidence to navigate IROs and GLAM sector organisations as researchers. It seeks to expand and retain diversity, and build research capacity in the sector, producing high-quality, innovative research with public benefit. A Coordination Team, based at the V&A, will respond to both the needs of host organisations and individual Fellows, through three workstreams: I) Supporting the Development and Commissioning of Fellowship Proposals; II) Designing and Delivering a Cohort Development Programme; III) Evaluating and Reporting. The programme activities will seek to balance the expertise of the Coordination Team in designing a programme of events and activities that respond to GLAM sector and future leadership needs, whilst recognising the flexibility needed to respond to the collective needs of the Fellowship cohort and the individual Fellows themselves. A responsive grants scheme will be offered to enable Fellows to build on and expand their individually- and collectively-led opportunities. Equality Impact Assessments will be conducted throughout the planning for the activities, considering accessibility needs, accommodating different styles of learning, and additional considerations such as caring responsibilities. This will guide our approach to the balance between in person and remote/hybrid events. Through the delivery and evaluation of this pilot programme, we aim to create a template for future research fellowships that can be rolled out across the cultural and heritage sector.