# Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Up to £30,000
**Deadline:** 31 December 2026 (Two rounds per year: March deadline (committee review June) and September deadline (committee review December). Next March round deadline passed; next opening September each year.)
**Duration:** 1 to 2 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage; two rounds per year (March and September application deadlines)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2026-09
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/starter-grants-clinical-lecturers
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to research-active clinical lecturers (or veterinary equivalent) based at UK administering organisations who hold a PhD or MD, a medical/dental/veterinary undergraduate degree, and are in higher speciality training. Covers directly incurred research costs (consumables, equipment); no salary, research assistants, PhD students, or postdoctoral staff. Administered by the Academy of Medical Sciences.

## Summary

Wellcome's Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers fund research-active clinicians and veterinarians in higher specialty training at UK institutions, providing up to £30,000 over one to two years for directly incurred research costs such as consumables and equipment. The scheme is open to clinical lecturers holding both a PhD or MD and a medical, dental, or veterinary undergraduate degree. Applications are accepted twice yearly (March and September deadlines), administered by the Academy of Medical Sciences.

## Who should apply

- Clinical lecturers or veterinary equivalents in higher specialty training at UK institutions
- Holders of both a PhD (or MD) and a medical, dental, or veterinary undergraduate degree
- Researchers seeking funding for consumables and equipment rather than salaries or staffing
- Research-active clinicians building an independent research track record early in their academic career

## Key dates

- Next deadline 30 September 2026; second round deadline 31 March 2027 thereafter
- Single-stage review; committee decisions published ~3 months after each deadline
- Project duration 1 to 2 years

## Tips for applicants

- This grant explicitly funds consumables and equipment only, no salary lines, research assistants, PhD students, or postdoc costs. Frame your budget tightly around direct research expenses.
- The scheme is designed for clinicians in training; emphasise how the project fits within your specialty training schedule and builds your research independence, not your supervisor's group.
- Two deadlines per year (March and September) mean you have a second bite if rejected; use feedback from the committee review to sharpen the proposal for the next round.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does the Wellcome Starter Grant for Clinical Lecturers fund?

Up to £30,000 over 1 to 2 years for directly incurred research costs such as consumables and equipment, but not salary, research assistants, PhD students, or postdoctoral staff.

### Who is eligible for the Wellcome Starter Grant for Clinical Lecturers?

Research-active clinical lecturers or veterinary equivalents based at UK administering organisations, holding both a PhD or MD and a medical, dental, or veterinary undergraduate degree, and currently in higher specialty training.

### How often can I apply for the Wellcome Starter Grant for Clinical Lecturers?

The scheme accepts applications twice per year: March and September deadlines, with committee decisions ~3 months later.

### Can I use the grant to pay for PhD students or postdoctoral researchers?

No; the grant covers only directly incurred research costs such as consumables and equipment, not staffing or salary costs.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/wellcome-starter-grants-for-clinical-lecturers-2026-12) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).