Wellcome Early-Career Awards

This scheme provides 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, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme.

Scheme at a glance 

Lead applicant career stage:
Early-career researcher
Administering organisation location:
Strategic programme:
Discovery Research, Climate & Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health
Frequency:
Three times a year - Upcoming deadlines in May and October 2024
Funding amount:

Your salary and up to £400,000 for research expenses. If eligible, you may also request additional funding for overseas allowances, overheads and adjustment support.

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

Deadline for new applications

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Eligibility and suitability 

What we offer 

How to apply 

Log in to our online grants system (Wellcome Funding). You can save your application and return to it any time.

Watch our webinar for early-career researchers to hear about our goals for Discovery Research at Wellcome.

Key dates 

You must submit your application by 17:00 (GMT/BST) on the deadline day. We don’t accept late applications.

February 2024 round

Opening soon

  1. Applications open

    06 October 2023
  2. Application deadline

    15 February 2024, 17:00 GMT
  3. Shortlisting

    April 2024
  4. Interviews

    09-11 July 2024

May 2024 round

Opening soon

  1. Applications open

    12 March 2024
  2. Application deadline

    21 May 2024, 17:00 GMT
  3. Shortlisting

    July 2024
  4. Interviews

    15-17 October 2024

October 2024 round

Opening soon

  1. Applications open

    22 May 2024
  2. Application deadline

    01 October 2024, 17:00 BST
  3. Shortlisting

    December 2024
  4. Interviews

    11-13 March 2025

Useful documents 

Contact us 

If you have a question about eligibility, what we offer or our funding remit, contact our funding information advisers:

Send us a message

Phone us on(0)20 7611 5757

We do not answer questions on the scope or competitiveness of proposals.