Are you a mid-career researcher ready to take the leap into international research leadership? The Wellcome Career Development Awards offer a transformative opportunity to secure up to eight years of flexible funding and establish yourself as a leader in your field.
This prestigious scheme is designed for researchers who have already demonstrated significant potential and are now ready to drive innovative programs of work that could deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health, and well-being.
What the Award Offers
A Wellcome Career Development Award provides more than just financial support—it offers the stability and freedom to pursue bold, high-risk, high-reward research. The award typically funds research programs for up to eight years, giving you the time needed to develop ambitious research programs without the pressure of short-term funding cycles.
Financial Support:
The annual expenditure for a Career Development Award is usually below £250,000 (excluding the applicant’s salary), though you should request the resources you genuinely need for your research program. The award covers:
- Salary for the grantholder (if eligible)
- Staff costs for up to 4 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researchers
- Research expenses, including equipment, fieldwork, and conference attendance
- Leadership and professional development opportunities
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is open to mid-career researchers from any discipline—including STEM, experimental medicine, humanities, social sciences, clinical health sciences, and public health.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must already be driving your own research and have:
- Completed one or two substantial periods of research after your initial research training
- Made important contributions to your area of research
- Experience working collaboratively, and possibly directing or guiding the work of others
Contractual Eligibility
Your eligibility to request salary depends on your employment contract status:
- Permanent/tenure-track contract (appointed within the last 3 years): You cannot request your own salary (unless based in a low- or middle-income country).
- Fixed-term with 4+ years remaining: You cannot request salary; your host organisation must underwrite your salary costs.
- Fixed-term with 4 or fewer years remaining: You can request your own salary.
Time Commitment: You must be able to contribute at least 80% of your research time to the award. Health professionals in clinical craft specialties may spend up to 40% on clinical duties.
Location Eligibility and Important Changes
Currently, applications are accepted from lead applicants based at eligible administering organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, and low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China).
However, a significant change is coming: From 29 October 2026, Wellcome will only accept applications from lead applicants based in the UK and low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia, and South-East Asia. If you are based in the Republic of Ireland or other LMIC regions, you should apply before this date.
Key Deadlines
The scheme is offered three times a year. The final fixed deadline under the current system is:
Important: From 25 August 2026, this scheme will move to a rolling application model, meaning you can apply at any time once the scheme reopens. However, applications submitted on or before 28 October 2026 will be assessed under the current location eligibility rules.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed across three weighted criteria (applied at the interview stage):
1. Research Proposal (50%)
- Bold: Aims to deliver a significant shift in understanding or advance existing methodologies
- Creative: Develops and tests new concepts, methods, or technologies
- High Quality: Well-designed, clearly presented, and supported by evidence
2. Skills and Experience (25%)
Your research outputs, contributions to the research community, experience developing others, and leadership skills are all considered.
3. Research Environment (25%)
The assessment considers how you’ll contribute to your organization’s strategic aims, how the environment supports your development, and your contribution to a positive research culture.
Why Apply?
By the end of the award, you should have achieved international standing in your area of research and the skills to apply for permanent positions at research organizations. The Career Development Award is designed to:
- Develop your research capabilities and leadership skills
- Support others to undertake research responsibly and promote a positive, inclusive culture
- Train the next generation of researchers
This is your opportunity to establish yourself as a leader, drive innovation, and make a lasting impact on human health and well-being.
