Wellcome Early-Career Awards

You should be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, original research that makes a meaningful contribution to knowledge.

This can be achieved through:

• completion of a PhD or equivalent higher research degree. You must have passed your thesis defence (Viva examination) by the date you submit your application.

or

• at least four years’ research experience equivalent to a PhD.
  Any periods of research undertaken during an undergraduate or Master’s degree are not counted as equivalent research experience. You must not have started a PhD or equivalent higher research degree.

For research experience or a higher research degree to be considered equivalent to a PhD, it should involve a substantial programme of original research and development of skills, including critical thinking, advanced methodological expertise, and intellectual independence carried out under some supervision. You must demonstrate the ability to:

• design and lead research projects
• generate and analyse complex data
• communicate and disseminate original findings
• contribute independently to a research field

Research experience could include:

• research conducted during time working in industry 
• working as a clinician with dedicated research time 
• working in other academic or non-academic settings 
• having pursued a non-traditional academic career path

The work should have resulted in recognised research outputs that show generation of new knowledge, rather than synthesis or application of existing evidence or the production of consultancy-led reports. Examples include:

• production of a thesis or monograph 
• peer reviewed primary research publications 
• conference presentations
• the development of new datasets, analytical approaches, techniques, models or tools that are published

• Doctor of Medicine (DM) or similar doctorate where it includes a substantial, sustained research component comparable to a PhD

• professional doctorates primarily based on taught modules, structured training, or shorter research projects
• qualifications where the research component is limited in duration (for example, less than two years full-time or equivalent) or scope

Examples of higher research degrees that are typically not equivalent may include MD, DClinPsy, DrPH, DVM, and similar awards with directed programmes and limited independent research.

You may have some postdoctoral experience in your proposed field of study, but no more than three years at the date of submission unless you can demonstrate how other factors have impacted on your research career. When we review how much postdoctoral experience you have, we will allow for part-time work, career breaks (for example, parental leave or long-term sick leave) and other significant amounts of time spent outside research (for example, clinical training).

We will also consider whether you have changed research discipline. For example, moving from astrophysics to computational neuroscience. There may be some crossover, such as in research sites or techniques, but the shift should still be a significant change.

We consider postdoctoral experience as any periods spent in research after you passed your PhD/higher research degree viva.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• a good understanding of research methodology
• evidence of project delivery and analysis.

You should not need close supervision to complete your proposed research, although you may need training in new techniques and experimental approaches.

You must be able to contribute at least 80% of your research time in support of the project proposed in the award. You should not spend more than 20% of your time on non-research related activities, for example clinical duties, teaching or administration. If you're in a clinical craft speciality, you may spend up to 40% of your time on clinical duties.

If you are a health professional and you want to continue with clinical activities, you must be registered with, and be licensed by, the relevant professional regulator in the country you intend to work in. Read our Q&As for health professionals .

Applicants who are based in a low- or middle-income country may hold a permanent, open-ended or long term rolling contract, although it is not a requirement. All other eligibility criteria apply.

You can apply if you've spent time away from research (for example a career break, parental leave, or long-term sick leave). We'll allow for this when we consider your application.

Depending on your previous career stage and the level of supervision and retraining you need now, you may also want to consider a Career Development Award .