The Wellcome Career Development Award supports mid-career researchers from all disciplines who are poised to become international leaders. The flexible funding, available for up to eight years, covers salary and research expenses to carry out an innovative program focused on life, health, and well-being.
The Wellcome Career Development Award supports mid-career researchers from all disciplines who are poised to become international leaders. The flexible funding, available for up to eight years, covers salary and research expenses to carry out an innovative program focused on life, health, and well-being.
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The Wellcome 2026 Career Development Award is a grant opportunity sponsored by Wellcome. The Wellcome Career Development Award provides funding to mid-career researchers to lead an ambitious research program and develop their leadership skills over the long term. This SkillReFlex fact sheet outlines key information to help you understand the target audience, funding level, deadlines, required documents, program limitations, and important considerations before applying. Program Objective - The objective is to help promising researchers establish themselves as international leaders by conducting transformative research on human life, health, and well-being. Proposed Experience : The awardee will conduct an independent research program for up to eight years, with salary and research expenses covered, at an eligible host organization. Funding and Benefits - The support offered is as follows: Flexible funding for up to 8 years, covering the researcher’s salary and research expenses. Key points to note are: Flexible funding for up to 8 years; Coverage of the researcher’s salary; Coverage of research expenses; Development of scientific leadership; Open to all disciplines. When the opportunity combines mentoring, training, awards, travel, or visibility, it is important to distinguish between what is guaranteed, what depends on the final selection, and what remains the responsibility of the candidate. Research Profile : The award is intended for mid-career researchers from all disciplines who are ready to lead a substantial research program and are based at an eligible organization in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, or certain low- and middle-income countries. The main criteria to check are: Being a mid-career researcher ready to lead a research program; Being based at an eligible host organization (UK, Ireland, or certain LIFCs); Proposing a substantial and innovative research program; Demonstrating potential for international leadership. Timeline - The date set for public posting is: July 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (BST). Official deadlines: Deadline for this round: July 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (BST); Interviews: January 2027; Subsequent rounds: November 2026 and April 2027. If the official page mentions multiple rounds, countries, categories, or time zones, always confirm the date that applies to your situation before finalizing your application. Application : Recommended Procedure: Review the official program description on wellcome.org; Verify the host organization’s eligibility; Prepare the research proposal and leadership plan; Submit the application via the Wellcome funding portal before the deadline. Documents to prepare include, in particular: Research Program Proposal, Leadership Development Plan, and Support from the Host Organization. Confirm your host institution’s eligibility early on. Clearly articulate the scientific ambition and the leadership component. Meet the deadline: 3:00 p.m. BST on July 28; no late submissions will be accepted. Keep a copy of each document submitted, use a permanent email address, and note the time zone for the deadline. Important Note : This publication does not replace the official source. Verified details: Call confirmed as open, deadline July 28, 2026 (3:00 p.m. BST), via official Wellcome sources on July 5, 2026.; Duration (up to 8 years), scope of funding, and eligible locations verified. Apply only through wellcome.org and its official funding portal. No legitimate Wellcome funding requires payment from the applicant. Apply only through the official channels listed and refuse any promise of selection in exchange for payment, any request for unlisted fees, or any contact that urges you to bypass the official channel.
Official source
Wellcome
https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-career-development-awards
Editorial verification
Verified on July 5, 2026
Internal editorial verification.
Next revalidation: Jul 12, 2026
Trust status
Latest editorial review active.
The Wellcome Career Development Award provides funding to mid-career researchers to lead an ambitious research program and develop their leadership skills over the long term.
The goal is to help promising researchers establish themselves as international leaders by conducting transformative research on human life, health, and well-being.
The awardee conducts an independent research program for up to eight years, with salary and research expenses covered, at an eligible host organization.
Strengths
Funding announcement: Flexible funding for up to 8 years, covering the researcher’s salary and research expenses.
What the program offers
The award is open to mid-career researchers from all disciplines who are ready to lead a substantial research program and are based at an eligible organization in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, or certain low- and middle-income countries.
Criteria to Check
(BST). Proposals with an unconfirmed deadline must be reviewed directly on the applicant portal before submission.
Key Dates
Prepare your materials offline before filling out the form. Platforms sometimes close without saving drafts, especially when deadlines are approaching.
Documents or information
The procedure below serves as a practical checklist. The official guidelines take precedence if a form adds a specific step or document.
Recommended Steps
These tips translate the official criteria into practical steps for preparation. They do not guarantee selection, but they help you avoid submitting vague or incomplete applications.
To strengthen the case
Best Practices
