Wellcome

Wellcome Career Development Award

Usually below £250,000/year (excluding applicant salary)| Deadline: 1 July 2026 (13 days)|Usually 8 years

Upcoming deadline in July 2026; exact date not specified

Last verified: 17 June 2026

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)
Deadline	1 July 2026
Duration	Usually 8 years
Consortium	No
Frequency	Three times a year
Eligible countries	GBIE

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.