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Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Wellcome Early-Career Awards

Supports early-career United Kingdom scientists with career development and research funding to grow independence.

Between cyclesWellcome TrustUnited KingdomIreland

Wellcome Early-Career Awards are five-year independent fellowships designed for researchers who have completed doctoral training and are ready to design, plan, and deliver their own innovative research projects within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit. The award covers the grantholder's full salary for the award period plus up to £400,000 in research expenses; additional costs for overheads, ove…

Independent innovative research projects by early-career researchers, spanning any discipline within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit — including STEM, experimental medicine, humanities and social science, clinical and allied health sciences, and public health.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.36–60 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: wellcome.org