Wellcome Early-Career Awards 2026 (With up to £400,000 in Funding)

Get latest opportunities sent your Inbox

---

Join our Telegram Channel Follow us on WhatsApp

About 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.

• Sponsor Organisation: Wellcome Trust Foundation

Benefits of Wellcome Early-Career Awards

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.

Wellcome Early-Career Awards Requirements

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.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Application Deadline

21 July, 2026

Opportunity Application

View details of Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Apply for Wellcome Early-Career Awards