Wellcome Early-Career Awards
Wellcome Early-Career Awards support early-career researchers to pursue innovative discovery research related to human health and wellbeing while developing independent research careers.
Browse similar grants
Funder: Wellcome Trust
Due Dates: Rolling (applications) | October 28, 2026 (last submission under current location rules) | January 12–14, 2027 (July 2026 round interviews)
Funding Amounts: Grantholder salary plus up to £400,000 in research expenses, usually over 5 years; certain additional costs are excluded from the cap.
Summary: Supports early-career researchers delivering innovative discovery research related to human health while developing independent research careers.
Key Information: From October 29, 2026, location eligibility narrows to the UK and eligible LMICs in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia.
Description
Wellcome Early-Career Awards support researchers ready to design, plan and deliver their own innovative discovery research project. Projects should advance understanding or develop methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research. Any discipline is welcome, including STEM, experimental medicine, humanities, social sciences, clinical and allied health sciences, and public health, provided the work has a clearly defined relationship to human life, health and wellbeing.
The award also supports development towards leading a creative, independent research programme. Researchers are expected to expand technical and methodological expertise, build collaborative networks, develop people-management skills, and strengthen responsible research practice. Wellcome prioritises bold, creative, high-quality proposals and research environments that support professional development and a positive, inclusive research culture.
