Organisation: Wellcome

Lead applicant career stage: Mid-career researcher

Administering organisation location: UK, Republic of Ireland, Low- or middle-income countries (apart from India and mainland China)

Frequency: Three times a year – Upcoming deadline in July 2026

Funding duration: below £250,000 excluding the applicant’s salary.

Coapplicants: Not accepted

Duration: 8 years

Application Deadline: July 28, 2026

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

This scheme provides funding for mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.

Wellcome will allow current grantholders of the following mid-career schemes to apply for a Career Development Award until the end of their awards, unless they have been appointed to a permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract that they will take up by the start of the Career Development Award:

Sir Henry Dale Fellowships (including those with extensions)
Research Career Development Fellowships
Research Career Re-entry Fellowships
Intermediate Clinical Fellowships (including those with one-year extensions)
Clinical Research Career Development Fellowships (stage 2)
International Intermediate Fellowships

If you are one of these grantholders, you must have an active grant at the application deadline.

RESEARCH BENEFITS

A Wellcome Career Development Award provides a salary for the grantholder (if required) and research expenses.
The award usually lasts for 8 years, but may be less for some disciplines, such as humanities and social science.
The award may be held on a part-time basis. When applying, you should cost the application at 1.0 (100%) full-time equivalent. We will then extend the duration of the award to reflect this.
You should ask for a level and duration of funding that’s justifiable for your proposed research.
You can only hold one of these awards. We do not offer renewals.
By the end of the award, you should have achieved international standing in your area of research.
You should also have the skills and experience to apply for permanent positions at research organisations.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Generating significant shifts in understanding

Developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research.
Develop your research capabilities and leadership skills
Support others to undertake research responsibly and promote a positive and inclusive culture
Start training the next generation of researchers and develop their research skills and careers.

WHO CAN APPLY

Applicants must have completed one or two substantial periods of research after their initial training, made important contributions to their field, and demonstrated experience working collaboratively or guiding others. Eligible candidates typically hold:

Their first permanent, open-ended, tenure-track, or long-term rolling contract (appointed within the last three years).
A fixed-term position with four years or less remaining at the point of application.
A fixed-term position with more than four years left on their contract.

Note: The 3-year limit for permanent contracts is flexibly extended for individuals who worked part-time as healthcare professionals, changed research disciplines, experienced career breaks (parental, parental leave, or long-term medical leave), or are based in low- and middle-income countries where early permanent appointments are standard practice.

WHO CAN’T APPLY

You hold, have held, or have accepted an offer for an equivalent award at this career stage (an exception to this is that our current Wellcome grantholders at an equivalent stage can apply to this scheme)
You have made an application to this scheme and you are waiting for a decision.

Is Your Research Right For This Scheme?

Your research must:
- fit within what wellcome support in Discovery Research
- have the potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing.
Your research can:
- be in any discipline – including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), experimental medicine, humanities and social science, clinical/allied health sciences, and public health.
Your research must not:
- fall outside of what wellcome support in Discovery Research.
- start earlier than seven months after the application deadline.