Wellcome Career Development Awards
Wellcome Career Development Awards support mid-career researchers with innovative discovery research programmes to advance understanding of human life, health and wellbeing and develop research leaders.
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Funder: Wellcome Trust
Due Dates: Rolling (applications) | October 28, 2026 (current location rules end) | October 29, 2026 (new location rules begin) | November 17, 2026 (permanent-post eligibility exception) | January 19–21, 2027 (July round interviews)
Funding Amounts: Usually below £250,000 annually, excluding applicant salary, for usually 8 years
Summary: Supports mid-career researchers leading innovative programmes that advance understanding of human life, health and wellbeing.
Key Information: Lead applicants must commit at least 80% of their research time to the award; coapplicants are not accepted.
Description
Wellcome Career Development Awards support mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to become international research leaders. The scheme funds substantial, innovative programmes within Wellcome’s Discovery Research remit, including STEM, experimental medicine, humanities, social sciences, clinical and allied health sciences, and public health. Research should deliver significant shifts in understanding or advance methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that benefit health-related research.
The awards also develop research capabilities, leadership and management skills. Award holders are expected to support responsible research, promote a positive and inclusive research culture, and train the next generation of researchers. By the end of the award, researchers should have international standing in their field and the skills and experience to apply for permanent research positions.
