
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.
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.
In this career stage, you’ll:
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:
Read about the career journeys of some of our researchers.
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.
For Stephen, setting up a lab meant dealing with some predictable challenges, like building a team, but also some unpredictable ones.
Patricia wants younger researchers to have better support than she had around challenges like setbacks with research and balancing career and parenthood.
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.
Providing 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 that could improve human life, health and wellbeing.
Providing funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health and wellbeing.
Established independent researchers can apply for more funding at this level or consider careers related to research or outside of research.