Liz's story: how she transformed HIV testing in Africa
As a world-renowned scientist, Liz had to navigate plenty of obstacles throughout her career – from getting support for early-stage research ideas to influencing international policy.
Leading a research programme
If you have a PhD (or equivalent) and significant postdoctoral research experience then you may be ready to lead, or already be leading, your own independent research programme.
During this career stage
In this career stage, you’ll:
- develop your research ideas and vision
- train and develop less experienced researchers
- build collaborations eg with other researchers, in industry or with policy makers
- develop and maintain an international reputation for your research.
Qualifications, skills and experience you'll need
To be eligible for our funding at this level, you must have a PhD or equivalent, and significant postdoctoral research experience.
You must have a compelling research vision that is original and has impact.
In the early stages of your independent research career, you should have made important contributions to your research area eg publications, patents, software development or an impact on policy.
To apply for more senior funding, you’ll already be leading your own independent research programme. In addition:
- you should have led internationally recognised contributions to your research area eg publications, patents, software development or an impact on policy
- you should have a track record of sustained research support from major funding bodies
- you will have established an international reputation as a research leader in your field, eg through awards, invitations to present your work, membership of professional bodies, advisory or editorial boards
- you will have experience of developing and mentoring less experienced researchers.
Researcher stories
Read about the career journeys of some of our researchers.
Stephen's story: to build a lab you have to build your team
For Stephen, setting up a lab meant dealing with some predictable challenges, like building a team, but also some unpredictable ones.
Patricia's story: from research assistant to senior academic creating a better culture
Patricia wants younger researchers to have better support than she had around challenges like setbacks with research and balancing career and parenthood.
Our funding in biomedical science and population health research
Early stages of an independent career
Clinical Research Career Development Fellowships
Enabling clinically active healthcare professionals to continue their research at postdoctoral level and develop scientific independence.
Collaborative Awards in Science
Funding teams of researchers, consisting of independent research groups, to work together on the most important scientific problems that can only be solved through collaborative efforts.
Innovator Awards
Supporting researchers who are transforming great ideas into healthcare innovations that could have a significant impact on human health.
International Intermediate Fellowships
Offering nationals of low- and middle-income countries the opportunity to lead their own research programmes.
Investigator Awards in Science
Enabling independent researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most important questions in science.
Research Career Development Fellowships
Providing support for postdoctoral researchers at academic organisations in the Republic of Ireland who aim to become independent scientists leading their own group.
Research Career Re-entry Fellowships
Offering postdoctoral research scientists the opportunity to re-establish their scientific careers after a continuous break from research of at least two years.
Sir Henry Dale Fellowships
Providing support for postdoctoral researchers who aim to become independent scientists leading their own groups. The scheme is a partnership between the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust.
Springboard Awards
Providing small grants to support basic biomedical scientists as they develop their independent research careers. The scheme is a collaboration between the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) and the Wellcome Trust.
Later stages of an independent career
Collaborative Awards in Science
Funding teams of researchers, consisting of independent research groups, to work together on the most important scientific problems that can only be solved through collaborative efforts.
Innovator Awards
Supporting researchers who are transforming great ideas into healthcare innovations that could have a significant impact on human health.
Investigator Awards in Science
Enabling independent researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most important questions in science.
Research Career Re-entry Fellowships
Offering postdoctoral research scientists the opportunity to re-establish their scientific careers after a continuous break from research of at least two years.
Senior Research Fellowships
Supporting independent researchers who are emerging as global leaders in their field and want to tackle the most important questions in science.
Our funding in humanities and social science
Collaborative Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Funding teams who are tackling major health-related questions in the humanities and social sciences that require a collaborative approach.
Investigator Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Enabling humanities and social science researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most significant questions in human health.
Research Development Awards in Humanities, Social Science and Bioethics
For groups of researchers who want the time and resources to shape the direction of their future work. The development programmes will lay the foundation for research that takes risks and pushes academic boundaries.
Research Fellowships in Humanities and Social Science
Supporting postdoctoral researchers in health-related humanities and social sciences who do not hold established academic posts.
University Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Enabling humanities and social science researchers to gain permanent positions at academic organisations.
After you’ve led a research programme
Established independent researchers can apply for more funding at this level or consider careers related to research or outside of research.
More information
- Find out about the funding we offer at other key career stages.
- Besides our funding schemes, we work in many ways to support careers in research.
- A career in research [PDF 913KB] has useful resources about everything from negotiating a start-up package to building an international reputation.
- View and compare biomedical research funding schemes offered by Wellcome and seven other UK funders on the Medical Research Council website.