This round closed on 1 July 2026. The details below are from that round.
Wellcome
Wellcome Career Development Award
Upcoming deadline in July 2026; exact date not specified
Last seen in a scan/import: .
Catalog updated: .
These timestamps are not source verification. Confirm the current deadline and your eligibility on the funder’s call page before applying.
The Wellcome Career Development Award funds mid-career researchers leading substantial research programmes with typically below £250,000 per year (excluding salary), over eight years. The call is open to researchers at not-for-profit higher education institutions, research institutes, or healthcare organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or qualifying low- and middle-income countries. Applicants must commit at least 80% research time; health professionals must hold current professional registration.
Details
| Funder | Wellcome |
| Budget | Usually below £250,000/year (excluding applicant salary) |
| Duration | Usually 8 years |
| Consortium | No |
| Frequency | Three times a year |
| Eligible countries | GBIE |
Recently updated
catalog cleanup 2026-07-04: past deadline
Eligibility & scope
For mid-career researchers ready to lead a substantial research programme. Administering organisation must be in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); must be a not-for-profit HEI, research institute, or healthcare organisation. Applicant must contribute at least 80% research time; health professionals must be registered with relevant regulator.
Who Should Apply
- •Mid-career researchers ready to lead a substantial independent research programme
- •Researchers at not-for-profit higher education institutions, research institutes, or healthcare organisations
- •Applicants based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China)
- •Health professionals with current professional registration (where applicable)
- •Researchers able to commit at least 80% time to the funded research
Key Dates
- •Deadline 1 July 2026
- •Call runs three times annually (verify future rounds on Wellcome website)
- •Eight-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The 80% research-time requirement is non-negotiable; clinical or administrative duties above 20% will disqualify the application.
- ✓Wellcome values evidence of leadership beyond the lab, include mentoring track record and contributions to field development.
- ✓Host-organisation eligibility is gatekeeping: confirm your institution is a recognised not-for-profit entity in an eligible country before investing application effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Wellcome Career Development Award fund?
Usually below £250,000 per year (excluding the applicant's salary) over eight years.
Who is eligible for the Wellcome Career Development Award?
Mid-career researchers at not-for-profit HEIs, research institutes, or healthcare organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or eligible low- and middle-income countries, able to commit at least 80% research time.
How often does the Wellcome Career Development Award call open?
The call runs three times per year; researchers can apply to the round that suits their timeline.
Do I need professional registration for the Wellcome Career Development Award?
Health professionals must hold current registration with the relevant professional regulator; non-clinical researchers are not required to hold such registration.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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