Join the Wellcome Accelerator Awards Shortlisting Advisory Committee

We rely on advisory committees' expertise and impartiality to decide which applications to fund for our funding schemes and targeted funding calls. All advisory committee members receive a payment for participating in advisory committee meetings, and Wellcome covers associated expenses. 

We are seeking expressions of interest from experts in academic and non-academic sectors with a strong commitment to promoting the careers of underrepresented groups, with experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Reviewing career development applications
• Supporting the career development of others
• Developing initiatives to advance researcher careers
• Lived experience of research careers, especially as a minoritised researcher

Advisory Committee members will assess and score grant applications submitted for funding, based on agreed assessment criteria. Members will use their expertise and experience to contribute to Wellcome’s grant decision-making. On the day of the committee meeting, committee members will succinctly lead discussions for their assigned applications and contribute to the discussions of other applications. 

Members will actively participate in meetings to make evidence-based recommendations about the proposals' strengths and weaknesses. They will also contribute to the discussion and review of the ranked list of applications, providing clear recommendations to Wellcome. 

At the shortlisting stage, committee members will focus on evaluating the career vision sections of applications, concentrating on candidates who can utilise these awards to further their career objectives. Specifically, the assessment will include: 

• The applicant's envisioned career progression by the end of the Accelerator Award and how it aligns with their long-term career goals.
• How proposed activities will support the applicant's career trajectory.
• How applicants will contribute to fostering a positive research culture. 

You will be provided with guidance in advance of each meeting to support your role as a committee member.

Currently, advisory committee meetings take place at Wellcome's offices in London, United Kingdom but may occasionally occur virtually.  

Our scheme is designed to support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that put them in a stronger position to reach their next career stage within academia. Find out more about the Wellcome Accelerator Awards.

We have up to 20 external vacancies for the shortlisting advisory committee.

Appointments will be for three years with a review by Wellcome and the committee member at the end of the first year. Committee members are expected to attend one meeting per academic year, each lasting up to two days.

To apply, you will need to submit the expression of interest form before 17:00 BST Monday 14 July 2025. We will not accept late submissions.

We work to ensure that our processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. If you would like us to make adjustments during the application process, please contact us at researchenvironment@wellcome.org

We will make appointments based on an individual’s experience in line with the role requirements. We will also consider the need for expertise in particular research areas and the overall membership of each committee. There are only a limited number of vacancies. 

Wellcome has a clear diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and we are committed to ensuring that our committees are inclusive and diverse, and representative of where our applicants are based.