Wellcome Career Development Awards

Lead applicants must be based at an eligible nonprofit institution in the UK, Ireland or a low- or middle-income country excluding India and mainland China. From 29 October 2026, the permitted host locations become the UK and listed low- or middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia.

An individual mid-career researcher must already drive independent research, have completed one or two substantial research periods after initial training and made important contributions. Permanent/open-ended/long-term appointments normally must have begun within three years; approved career breaks, part-time research, major discipline changes and typical early permanent appointments in low- or middle-income countries are exceptions. A stated transition allows the three-year limit to fall between 28 July and 17 November 2026 if submission occurs by 17 November. Salary eligibility depends on contract: fixed term with four years or less remaining can qualify; longer fixed terms require host underwriting; permanent posts normally cannot request salary except qualifying externally funded posts in low- or middle-income countries. At least 80% of research time is required, with non-research work capped at 20% when salary is requested, or clinical duties at 40% in clinical craft specialties. Clinicians need completed clinical training and local licensing. An established sponsor must guarantee institutional resources and support; visits over three months need a local sponsor, and a mentor should be identified. Coapplicants are not accepted. Previous equivalent awards normally exclude applicants, subject to the listed active Wellcome-grantholder exceptions. Only one pending lead application across Early-Career, Career Development and Discovery Awards is allowed; other proposals must be distinct and meet time requirements. The institution must offer a long-term post by award end or conduct the required review at least two years before the end, unless an eligible long-term post already exists. The administering institution must meet Wellcome’s grant conditions and provide the required support. Before 29 October 2026 it must be in the UK, Ireland or an eligible low- or middle-income country excluding India and mainland China; from that date only the UK and listed low- or middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia qualify. Transfers of grant funds into mainland China are excluded. Projects must fit the scheme’s discovery-research remit. Projects first submitted from 1 July 2026 may be considered at most twice across Wellcome schemes; eligible resubmissions need substantial development and normally a 12-month gap after rejection. Read the source for earlier-submission exceptions.

1. Complete the application on Wellcome Funding and send it to the administering organisation’s approver. The organisation must approve and submit it to Wellcome. There is no fixed application deadline; the location rules change on 29 October 2026.