Funder: Wellcome Trust
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications) | October 28, 2026 (Last submission under current location rules) | November 17, 2026 (Permanent-post eligibility exception) | January 19–21, 2027 (July 2026 round interviews)
Funding Amounts: Usually below £250,000 annually, excluding the applicant’s salary, for usually 8 years
Summary: Supports mid-career researchers to lead innovative discovery research advancing understanding of human life, health and wellbeing.
Key Information: From October 29, 2026, lead applicants must be based at eligible organisations in the UK or eligible countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia.
Description
Wellcome Career Development Awards support mid-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to lead substantial, innovative research programmes and have the potential to become international research leaders. Part of Wellcome’s Discovery Research programme, the scheme funds bold, creative and high-quality work that delivers significant shifts in understanding of human life, health and wellbeing. This includes developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools and techniques for health-related research.
The scheme spans STEM, experimental medicine, humanities and social sciences, clinical and allied health sciences, and public health. Alongside research, award holders develop leadership capabilities, promote responsible research and an inclusive research culture, and train the next generation of researchers. By the award’s end, researchers should have international standing and the experience to apply for permanent research positions.
