Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Scheme at a glance

欄位	內容
Funding amount	Your salary and up to £400,000 for research expenses. Certain costs do not count towards the £400,000 research expenses limit. Check 'Research costs we'll cover' for more information.
Funding duration	Usually 5 years, but may be less for some disciplines, and may only be longer if held on a part-time basis.
Coapplicants	Not accepted

Location eligibility for this funding scheme is changing

From 29 October 2026, we will only accept applications from lead applicants based at eligible administering organisations in the UK and low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia. Any applications submitted to Wellcome on or before 28 October 2026 will be assessed under the current location eligibility requirements.

Learn more about this change

Review a list of low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia

Key dates

There are no deadlines for applications to this scheme. Applications can be submitted at any time.

View all key dates

What to expect from an Early-Career Award

You can apply to this scheme if you are an early-career researcher and you are ready to design, plan and deliver your own innovative research project that aims to:

• advance understanding in your field

and/or

• develop methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research.

During the award, we expect you to:

• expand your technical skills and/or your experience of different research methodologies or frameworks
• build a collaborative network with other researchers in your field
• develop your people management skills
• advance your understanding of how to complete research responsibly and promote a positive and inclusive culture.

By the end of the award, you should have the research maturity to develop, manage and lead your own creative, independent research programme.

If you decide not to pursue a career in research, you’ll have transferable skills that you can use in roles related to research or outside of research, for example in industry or teaching.

Who can apply

The data show: applications are often withdrawn by Wellcome because the applicant is ineligible

Applications for the Wellcome Early-Career Award are often withdrawn by Wellcome before shortlisting because the researcher does not meet eligibility requirements.

Check your eligibility using our self-assessment tool.

Check your eligibility

Lead applicant career stage and experience

You should be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, original research that makes a meaningful contribution to knowledge.

This can be achieved through:

• completion of a PhD or equivalent higher research degree. You must have passed your thesis defence (Viva examination) by the date you submit your application.

or

• at least four years’ research experience equivalent to a PhD. Any periods of research undertaken during an undergraduate or Master’s degree are not counted as equivalent research experience. You must not have started a PhD or equivalent higher research degree.

If you do not have a PhD

For research experience or a higher research degree to be considered equivalent to a PhD, it should involve a substantial programme of original research and development of skills, including critical thinking, advanced methodological expertise, and intellectual independence carried out under some supervision. You must demonstrate the ability to:

• design and lead research projects
• generate and analyse complex data
• communicate and disseminate original findings
• contribute independently to a research field

Research experience could include:

• research conducted during time working in industry
• working as a clinician with dedicated research time
• working in other academic or non-academic settings
• having pursued a non-traditional academic career path

The work should have resulted in recognised research outputs that show generation of new knowledge, rather than synthesis or application of existing evidence or the production of consultancy-led reports. Examples include:

• production of a thesis or monograph
• peer reviewed primary research publications
• conference presentations
• the development of new datasets, analytical approaches, techniques, models or tools that are published

Examples of equivalent higher research degrees:

Typically equivalent:

• Doctor of Medicine (DM) or similar doctorate where it includes a substantial, sustained research component comparable to a PhD

Typically not equivalent:

• professional doctorates primarily based on taught modules, structured training, or shorter research projects
• qualifications where the research component is limited in duration (for example, less than two years full-time or equivalent) or scope

Examples of higher research degrees that are typically not equivalent may include MD, DClinPsy, DrPH, DVM, and similar awards with directed programmes and limited independent research.

What level of postdoctoral experience we allow

You may have some postdoctoral experience in your proposed field of study, but no more than three years at the date of submission unless you can demonstrate how other factors have impacted on your research career. When we review how much postdoctoral experience you have, we will allow for part-time work, career breaks (for example, parental leave or long-term sick leave) and other significant amounts of time spent outside research (for example, clinical training).

We will also consider whether you have changed research discipline. For example, moving from astrophysics to computational neuroscience. There may be some crossover, such as in research sites or techniques, but the shift should still be a significant change.

We consider postdoctoral experience as any periods spent in research after you passed your PhD/higher research degree viva.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• a good understanding of research methodology
• evidence of project delivery and analysis.

You should not need close supervision to complete your proposed research, although you may need training in new techniques and experimental approaches.

How much time you must contribute

You must be able to contribute at least 80% of your research time in support of the project proposed in the award. You should not spend more than 20% of your time on non-research related activities, for example clinical duties, teaching or administration. If you're in a clinical craft speciality, you may spend up to 40% of your time on clinical duties.

If you are a health professional

If you are a health professional and you want to continue with clinical activities, you must be registered with, and be licensed by, the relevant professional regulator in the country you intend to work in. Read our Q&As for health professionals.

If you are based in a low- or middle-income country

Applicants who are based in a low- or middle-income country may hold a permanent, open-ended or long term rolling contract, although it is not a requirement. All other eligibility criteria apply.

If you’ve spent time away from research

You can apply if you've spent time away from research (for example a career break, parental leave, or long-term sick leave). We'll allow for this when we consider your application.

Depending on your previous career stage and the level of supervision and retraining you need now, you may also want to consider a Career Development Award.

Other people you must involve in the application and award

Sponsor

Your sponsor must be an individual at your administering organisation. They must hold an established post (or an honorary academic appointment) at the organisation for the duration of the award. They will be expected to:

• Guarantee the space and resources you’ll need from the start date to the end date of your award.
• Ensure the research environment will support you to complete your project.
• Confirm workload expectations with you – you should not spend more than 20% of your time on non-research related activities, for example clinical duties, teaching or administration. If you’re based in a clinical craft specialty, you may spend up to 40% of your time on clinical duties.

If you plan to work for more than three months outside your administering organisation, you must also have an additional sponsor at that location. They must guarantee the space and resources you'll need during your visit.

Sponsors are not paid for their input.

Mentor

You should also identify a mentor for the period of your award. They should have a track record in training and mentorship, and support and guide you on how to:

• manage your application
• develop your research career
• progress with your personal development
• manage the processes and regulations at your administering organisation (although they do not need to be based at your administering organisation).

Your sponsor can also be your mentor.

Mentors are not paid for their input.

Other people you can involve in the application and award

Collaborators

Collaborators support the delivery of the project but don't lead on a specific component of the research. For example, collaborators could support by:

• sharing facilities
• providing access to tools or resources such as datasets or clinical records
• providing access to organisations led by or working in collaboration with lived experience experts
• providing expertise on working in different countries
• sharing subject-specific knowledge and guidance, for example, expertise on statistical analysis or measurement of specific variables

Collaborators do not have to meet eligibility requirements, and they are not required to give a minimum research time commitment.

Collaborators cannot receive a salary or compensation for the time spent on the proposed project. You can request costs to cover their expenses, for example, for their grant-related travel and the costs associated with providing the agreed input into the research, including the materials and consumables involved. These should be costs directly related to the research.

Other Wellcome applications

You may only have one application under consideration as a lead applicant at any one time for the following schemes:

• Early Career Award
• Career Development Award
• Discovery Award

You may apply to other Wellcome funding opportunities at the same time, provided:

• the research proposals are distinct, and
• you meet the eligibility criteria and time commitment requirements for each scheme

You may also be named as a coapplicant on Discovery Award applications, if you meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements and time commitment requirements.

Resubmissions

These criteria apply to new applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026. Resubmissions of applications submitted before this date will continue to follow the previous resubmission rules.

A resubmission is an application that has previously been reviewed by our shortlisting Advisory Groups. These do not include applications withdrawn by us before shortlisting.

The same project may be submitted for consideration a maximum of two times across all Wellcome funding schemes and themed funding calls. Resubmissions should include significant changes, demonstrating clear development of the original proposal.

If you have submitted an application with a project that has already been reviewed twice, any subsequent application must be with a new project.

Please consider carefully before resubmitting an application. It must reflect clear progress and not respond solely to reviewer comments.

If you are unsuccessful with an application for an Early-Career Award, you may submit one further application for the same project to any Wellcome scheme. You can do this at any time as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme or call. You do not need to contact us before resubmitting. If your application scores in the lowest levels at the shortlisting meeting you will not be permitted to resubmit. We will tell you about this in your decision letter.

Who can't apply

You are not eligible to apply if:

• You have an existing tenured (salaried) post for the duration of the award (unless based in a low- or middle-income country). You can only relinquish an existing tenured (salaried) post to take up an Early-Career Award if your current post is not research-based.
• You have made an application to this scheme and you are waiting for a decision.
• You hold, have held, or have accepted an offer for an equivalent award at this career stage. An equivalent award does not include short-term funding.

What short-term funding we allow

We allow short-term funding from your administering organisation or a learned society that supported your transition from doctoral to postdoctoral research. This can include, but is not limited to, funding for:

• developing new research ideas (rather than a substantive research project)
• career progression
• networking
• travel or residencies after your PhD.

You can have more than one period of short-term funding, but the combined duration cannot be more than three years.

You cannot apply if you intend to carry out activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China.

Is your organisation right for this scheme?

The administering organisation is the organisation responsible for submitting your final application to Wellcome and managing the finances of the grant if it is awarded.

Your grant must be administered by an eligible organisation that can sign up to our grant conditions.

If your administering organisation is a core-funded research organisation, an Early-Career Award should not replace or lead to a reduction in existing or planned core support.

Where your administering organisation is based

The administering organisation must be in one of the following:

• UK
• Republic of Ireland
• a low- or middle-income country (apart from India and mainland China).

The organisation must be not-for-profit and can be a:

• higher education institution
• research institute
• healthcare organisation

Your research environment

You should choose a research environment that provides you with the appropriate training, resources and experience to deliver your project and develop your research skills and identity. We encourage you to move away from your current research environment. This may mean moving from your group or department, but it is not essential to move organisations.

Is your research right for this scheme?

The data show: applications are often withdrawn by Wellcome because the proposal isn't right for the scheme

The main reason applications are withdrawn by Wellcome is because the proposal doesn't fit within what we fund in discovery research. This is usually because the proposal is not sufficiently related to human health.

Make sure you read what we do and don't fund in discovery research.

You must check whether Wellcome Discovery Research can fund your type of research project before you apply.

Check what we fund in Discovery Research

Your research must:

• fit within what we support in Discovery Research
• have the potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing.

Your research can:

• be in any discipline - including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), experimental medicine, humanities and social science, clinical/allied health sciences, and public health.

Your research must not:

• fall outside of what we support in Discovery Research. Check what we don't fund.

Previously funded projects

Review projects that have been previously funded for this scheme. You can filter on research subject area, country, and organisation.

Search funded projects

Research costs we'll cover

A Wellcome Early-Career Award provides a salary for the grantholder and up to £400,000 for research expenses.

On top of the £400,000 research expenses limit, you may also be able to ask for:

• overheads
• overseas allowances
• the cost of macaques purchased from the Centre for Macaques
• adjustment support, including assistive technology (for example, screen readers or mobility aids) and support staff. Review the ‘staff’ section for more information.

If you are eligible for these costs, we will not count them against the £400,000 limit for research expenses. Contact us if you have any questions.

If after two or more years from your Early-Career Award activation date your organisation awards you a permanent, open ended or long-term rolling contract that includes your salary, you will be able to keep the salary element of the award to use towards your remaining research costs.

The award usually lasts for 5 years, but may be less for some disciplines, such as humanities and social science.

The award may be held on a part-time basis. When applying, you should cost the application at 1.0 (100%) full-time equivalent. We will then extend the duration of the award to reflect this.

You should ask for a level and duration of funding that’s justifiable for your proposed research.

You can only hold one of these awards. We do not offer renewals.

The award includes:

a basic salary (determined by your administering organisation)

We will fund the total cost of your salary for the entire period of the grant.

You can only receive one salary.

If you hold a permanent, open-ended or long term rolling contract and are based in a low- or middle-income country, we will fund the cost of your salary for the duration of the award.

Your salary should be based on the pay scales of the host organisation that will be employing you. It should include:

• your basic salary
• employer’s contributions, including any statutory obligations (for example, National Insurance contributions if you’re based in the UK) and pension scheme costs
• any incremental progression up the salary scale
• locally recognised allowances such as London allowance.

You should not include:

• any potential promotion costs
• any Wellcome fellowship supplement that was part of a previous grant.

If your host organisation is in a low- or middle-income country and you will be working in a high-income country for 12 months or more, you should be paid at an appropriate rate for that country, according to your age and experience.

You should only allow for salary pay awards during Year 1. These should be based on pay awards already agreed. If the pay award is not yet known, applicants should use the International Monetary Fund inflation rate, selecting the ‘inflation, average consumer price’ option as indicator.

From Year 2 onwards, we will automatically increase your salary, based on our current inflation allowance rates.

If you are a clinical academic, your salary should be appropriate to your clinical status and within the salary scale for academic and senior clinical lecturers.

If you're paid on a non-clinical salary scale, your basic salary should be in line with academics of a similar seniority.

Read about the responsibilities of grantholders and host organisations for people working on a Wellcome grant.

Visa and work permit costs

If Wellcome is going to pay your salary on the grant, you can ask for visa and work permit costs to help you take up the post at your host organisation. Award holders who need a visa to work in the UK may be eligible for a Global Talent Visa.

You can also ask for:

• visa costs for your partner and dependent children
• Immigration Health Surcharge costs for you, your partner and dependent children if you will be in the UK for six months or more
• essential associated costs, such as travel to attend appointments at a visa application centre or embassy, and English language tests, if you can justify these.

staff

We will provide the salary costs for staff, full or part-time, who work on your project, up to the equivalent of a 36-month full-time post. For example, you can ask for 24 months' salary for a research assistant, and 12 months' salary for a technician.

You can ask for more staff costs (in addition to the equivalent of a 36-month full-time post) if you need:

• specialist service staff and technical experts, for example environmental sustainability, data analysis, fieldwork and clinical studies
• support because you or a member of staff employed on your grant is disabled or has a long-term health condition – see 'Disability-related adjustment support'.

We do not provide studentships on this award.