This scheme supports postdoctoral researchers in health-related humanities and social sciences who do not hold established academic posts.
Level of funding:
Salary and research expenses covered
Duration of funding:
Up to 3 years
Who can apply
You can apply for a Research Fellowship if you’re a postdoctoral researcher who wants to carry out an extended period of research on your own project.
You must not have a permanent contract, or a contract that will last longer than this fellowship.
You should also:
- be based (or planning to be based) in the UK, Republic of Ireland or a low- or middle-income country
- have sponsorship from an eligible host organisation.
In most cases, applicants should have been awarded a PhD before they apply.
What we’re looking for
We will assess:
- the significance and originality of your proposed research
- the suitability and relevance of your approach to your research topic
- your previous research contributions eg publications, conference papers, public engagement and policy-related work
- the suitability of the host organisation for your research and for developing your independent career.
We consider applications from researchers in the early stages of their careers as well as more established researchers. We’ll consider the suitability of your previous research contributions according to your career stage and experience.
If you’ve been away from research (eg for a career break, parental leave or long-term sick leave), we’ll take this into account when we consider your application.
Most successful applicants will be pursuing university research careers. But we also encourage researchers who want to follow health-related research careers elsewhere.
We encourage you to check that your application is competitive by discussing your project with:
- your intended supervisor
- researchers in relevant health-related fields
- the research office at your host organisation.
Your supervisor and other researchers
Your supervisor and other researchers will give you advice about the intellectual quality and importance of your project. They will also help you to decide whether it’s the right time for you to apply.
Your research office
Contact your research office as early as possible in the application process. The research office at your host organisation should give you advice about how to design your project, including the budget. The research office should also tell you what information your host organisation needs from you to support your proposal.
What’s expected of your host organisation
You must have an eligible sponsoring organisation that will administer your fellowship for the full duration of the award.
You should give careful thought to your choice of sponsor and supervisor or research mentor; they should have strong track records in research, training and mentorship.
If you have a multi-site or multi-method project, you may need more than one supervisor or research mentor. You should make it clear on your application form how you will all work together.
Your sponsor can also be your supervisor or research mentor.
Sponsor
Your sponsor should be in a position to guarantee you space and facilities for the full period of the fellowship. The sponsor must:
- be based at an eligible sponsoring organisation that will administer your fellowship for the full duration of the award
- hold an established post.
Supervisor or research mentor
Your supervisor or research mentor should:
- provide support and advice during the application process and the period of the award
- be committed to helping you achieve your career aspirations.
A Research Fellowship is for up to three years, or you can hold it part-time over a longer period.
An award will not usually be above £275,000. Support includes:
You can also apply for Research Enrichment funding to increase the impact of your work through activities in public engagement, open research, and diversity and inclusion.
What we don’t offer
We don’t fund overheads.
You must submit your application through the Wellcome Trust Grant Tracker (WTGT).
Start your application(opens in a new tab)
Stages of application
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Before you apply
We encourage you to check that your application is competitive by discussing your project with:
- your intended supervisor
- researchers in relevant health-related fields
- the research office at your host organisation.
Find out about the advice you can get from these people in the ‘Eligibility and suitability’ section on this page.
You don’t need to contact us before you submit a preliminary application. We prefer to speak to applicants when we invite them to submit full applications.
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Submit your preliminary application
You can view, fill in and submit your application through the Wellcome Trust Grant Tracker(opens in a new tab).
We’ll assess your eligibility and competitiveness. If suitable, we’ll invite you to submit a full application.
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Submit your full application
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Review and shortlisting
Full applications are considered by either the Medical Humanities Early Career Expert Review Group or the Social Science and Bioethics Early Career Award Expert Review Group, depending on the area of the proposed research. If your full application is successful at this stage, you’ll be invited for interview.
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Peer review
We’ll seek written comments from external expert reviewers – we encourage you to suggest appropriate people. Unattributed comments will be sent to you before your interview.
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Interview
The Medical Humanities Interview Committee or the Social Science and Bioethics Interview Committee will interview shortlisted candidates at the Wellcome offices in London.
Disabled applicants
If you are disabled or have a chronic health condition, we can support you with the application process.
Dates
We consider applications twice a year. You must submit your application by 17:00 (GMT/BST) on the deadline day. We don’t accept late applications.
January 2019 round
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Preliminary application deadline
11 January 2019, 17:00 GMT
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Full application deadline
28 March 2019, 17:00 GMT
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Shortlisting
May 2019
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Interviews
July 2019
Visit the official link
Scholarship & Career 