Fellowship

Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Wellcome Trust Original Source

About This Opportunity

The Wellcome Early-Career Awards provide funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, researchers will be ready to lead their own independent research programme. The scheme supports researchers who have completed a PhD or equivalent higher research degree and have up to three years of postdoctoral experience. It provides salary support plus up to £400,000 for research expenses, typically for five years. The award aims to help researchers expand technical skills, build collaborative networks, develop people management skills, and advance understanding of how to complete research responsibly while promoting a positive and inclusive culture.

12 - 61 mo
4-6 months
research life sciences health research biomedical science social sciences humanities public health clinical research neuroscience epidemiology mental health

Who Can Apply

Region
Global
Residency
United Kingdom, Ireland
Applicants
individual
Organizations
academic, nonprofit, hospital
Post-degree
Up to 4 years

Application Details

Interview Institutional approval

Stages

  1. 1 two_stage

Required documents

cv research_proposal budget

Review process

Applications undergo eligibility check, shortlisting by Early-Career Advisory Groups, external expert written review, and interviews by Early-Career Interview Committee. Final decisions made by Discovery Research Decision Board.

Additional benefits

  • mentorship
  • networking
  • training
  • career_services

Restrictions

  • no_concurrent_funding
  • reporting_requirements

Post-award obligations

  • final_report
  • acknowledge_funder
  • share_data

External Application

This opportunity requires you to apply directly on the funder's website.

Apply on External Site

Key Information

Award Amount
£200000.00 - £1200000.00
Application Deadline
February 17, 2026 at 23:59 UTC
Due in 33 days

Similar Opportunities

Wellcome Career Development Awards

81%

The Wellcome Career Development Awards provide funding for mid-career researchers from any disciplin...

Wellcome Discovery Awards

76%

Wellcome Discovery Awards provide funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline ...

Doctoral Programmes for Healthcare Professionals

60%

This call will fund doctoral programmes for healthcare professionals registered in the UK and Republ...

Doctoral landscape awards in medical research

59%

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is offering funding to deliver doctoral training in areas within ...

Back to Browse