# Wellcome Career Development Awards

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Usually below £250,000 annually (excluding applicant salary)
**Deadline:** 22 March 2026 (Upcoming deadline in March 2026; three times a year)
**Duration:** Usually 8 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Three times a year
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-career-development-awards
**Last verified:** 22 May 2026

## Summary

The Wellcome Career Development Award funds early-career researchers with up to £250,000 annually for eight years to establish independent research groups in biomedical science and related fields. The award is designed for researchers ready to lead their own research programme but who may not yet have held a substantial independent grant. Wellcome runs this scheme three times a year, making it one of the most frequently available early-career funding routes.

## Who should apply

- Early-career researchers establishing independent groups
- Postdoctoral researchers or those ready to transition to independence
- Researchers based in academic or research-active institutions
- Biomedical science and related life science disciplines
- Researchers with a track record of independent or co-led publications

## Key dates

- Deadline 22 March 2026
- Single-stage application process
- Eight-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Emphasise your track record of independent research and thinking — the panel looks for signs you're ready to lead, not just contribute.
- Wellcome values research with medical relevance; frame basic science within a health or disease context even if your immediate focus is fundamental.
- Apply at the first available deadline if your proposal is ready; this scheme runs three times yearly, so missing one round is not critical, but the sooner you apply the sooner you can start.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Wellcome Career Development Award give?

Up to £250,000 annually, excluding applicant salary, for eight years.

### Who can apply for the Wellcome Career Development Award?

Early-career researchers in biomedical science and related fields who are ready to establish independent research groups, typically postdoctoral researchers or those at a comparable stage.

### How often can I apply for the Wellcome Career Development Award?

Wellcome runs this scheme three times a year; you can apply at any deadline and reapply if unsuccessful, subject to Wellcome's re-application policy.

### What is the deadline for the Wellcome Career Development Award?

The next deadline is 22 March 2026; subsequent deadlines are available three times yearly.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/wellcome-trust-wellcome-career-development-awards-2026-03) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.