[Wellcome Trust](https://wellcome.org/research-funding)

June 3, 2026 (Full application, Round 12) | December 11, 2026 (Expression of Interest for new institutions)

Up to £125,000 over two years; covers research expenses, equipment, research assistance, and travel (no salary).

Supports early-career biomedical researchers in the UK to establish independent research careers through funding and mentoring.

--- ## Description The Springboard Awards, funded by the Wellcome Trust in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences and other UK funders, are designed to support newly independent biomedical researchers based at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The scheme provides both financial support (up to £125,000 over two years) and access to a bespoke mentoring and career development programme. The aim is to help early-career researchers launch and sustain their own research groups, fostering the next generation of leaders in biomedical science. --- ## Due Dates - **June 3, 2026:** Full application deadline for nominated applicants (Round 12), 16:00 BST. - **December 11, 2026:** Expression of Interest deadline for institutions seeking to become eligible to nominate in future rounds. > All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** £125,000 over two years. - **What the award covers:** - Research expenses (e.g., consumables, equipment) - Research assistance - Travel for meetings and collaborations - Access to mentoring and professional development activities - **Restrictions:** The award cannot be used to cover the applicant's personal salary. --- ## Eligibility - **Career stage:** Applicants must be within five years (FTE) of appointment to their first independent, salaried academic research post (typically lecturer or equivalent). - **Institution:** Must be based at an eligible UK higher education institution (see [list of eligible institutions](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/springboard/institutions-and-champions)). - **Nomination:** Applicants must be nominated by their institution; each eligible HEI may nominate up to four applicants per round. - **Funding status:** Applicants must not hold substantial research funding as a Principal or Co-Investigator exceeding £150,000 (excluding personal salary, overhead, and indirect costs). - **Fellowship restrictions:** Holders of certain major fellowships/awards (e.g., CRUK Career Development Fellowship, MRC New Investigator Grant, Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, etc.) are ineligible. - **Other:** Applicants must not hold a clinical contract; practising clinicians should consider alternative schemes. --- ## Application Process 1. **Internal nomination:** Contact your institution’s Springboard Champion to express interest and learn about internal selection procedures. 2. **Expression of Interest (for new institutions):** Non-eligible HEIs should submit an Expression of Interest by December 11, 2026, to participate in future rounds. 3. **Application submission:** Nominated applicants will receive access to the Academy’s Flexi-Grant system and must submit their full application by the published deadline. 4. **Review:** Applications are assessed by a panel of Academy Fellows and external experts; no interviews are required. 5. **Notification:** Applicants are informed of outcomes after each assessment stage. *See [Springboard application guidance](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/r12-springboard-application-guidance-1) for detailed instructions.* --- ## Additional Information - **Mentoring:** Awardees receive one-to-one mentoring and access to career development events. - **Diversity:** The scheme welcomes applications from across the breadth of biomedical research, including molecular, cellular, structural, physiological, psychological, epidemiological, and public health disciplines. - **Reporting:** Annual progress reporting via Researchfish is required throughout the grant and for five years post-completion. - **Extensions:** No-cost extensions are possible to account for career breaks or project delays. - **Resubmission:** Unsuccessful applicants may reapply once, provided they are re-nominated and still meet eligibility. --- ## External Links - [Wellcome Trust – Springboard Awards](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/springboard-awards) - [Academy of Medical Sciences – Springboard Scheme](http://www.acmedsci.ac.uk/careers/funding-schemes/springboard/) - [List of Eligible Institutions & Springboard Champions](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/springboard/institutions-and-champions) - [Springboard Application Guidance (PDF)](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/r12-springboard-application-guidance-1) - [Springboard FAQs (PDF)](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/r12-faqs) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | More Info | |------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dr Jessica Beeson | Grants Manager | [jessica.beeson@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:jessica.beeson@acmedsci.ac.uk) | 020 3141 3213 | [Staff bio](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants/dr-jessica-beeson) | | Liam Bateson | Senior Grants Officer | [liam.bateson@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:liam.bateson@acmedsci.ac.uk) | - | [Staff bio](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants/liam-bateson) | | Mathew Davis-Lunn | Senior Grants Officer | [mathew.davis-lunn@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:mathew.davis-lunn@acmedsci.ac.uk) | - | [Staff bio](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants/mathew-davis-lunn) | | Springboard Team | General Inquiries | [springboard@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:springboard@acmedsci.ac.uk) | - | |

Springboard Awards

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