Wellcome Early-Career Awards support emerging researchers ready to establish their own innovative research identity—funding salary plus up to £400,000 in research expenses over typically five years to deliver significant shifts in understanding human health and wellbeing.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Career Stage: Early-career researcher with a substantive research training period.
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Degree/Experience: PhD (viva passed by deadline) or equivalent; if no higher degree, ≥4 years’ research experience.
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Postdoctoral Experience: ≤3 years (adjusted for part-time work, career breaks, discipline changes, COVID-19 impact).
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Time Commitment: ≥80% research effort (≤20% non-research; ≤40% clinical for craft specialties).
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Organisation: Based at a not-for-profit in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or eligible LMIC (excluding India/Mainland China).
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Prior Awards: Cannot hold tenured teaching/research posts during award unless in LMIC; may be co-applicant on one other Wellcome scheme; not eligible if awaiting decision on this scheme or holding an equivalent award.
Funding Details:
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Salary: Full basic salary provided by host (applicant’s salary covered).
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Research Expenses: Up to £400,000 (staff, consumables, animals, equipment, overheads, travel, fieldwork, public engagement, inflation, open access, clinical research costs, CROs, etc.).
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Additional Costs (outside £400k limit): Overheads, overseas allowances, macaque purchase costs, disability/adjustment support.
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Duration: Usually 5 years (part-time options extend duration).
Deadline:
30 September 2025, 15:00 BST
(Calls open 23 May 2025; shortlisting December 2025; interviews March 2026)
Where to Go for Further Information & Application:
Apply via the Wellcome Funding platform.