Wellcome
Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers
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.
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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.
Details
| Funder | Wellcome |
| Budget | Up to £30,000 |
| Deadline | 31 December 2026 |
| 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 |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | GB |
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.
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.
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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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