Wellcome Trust: Principal Research Fellowships

The Wellcome Trust's £25.9 billion investment portfolio directly funds thousands of scientists and researchers around the world at every step from discovery to impact. The Trust's funding schemes offer grants across biomedical science, population health, medical innovation, humanities and social science, and public engagement. Principal Research Fellowships are the most prestigious of the Trust's awards and provide long-term funding for researchers of international standing.

Applications open

1 Jan 2021

Applications closed

31 Dec 2022

Application type

Application required
How to apply

Benefit type

General allowance
Full benefit details

Citizenship requirements

Australian / domestic student
International student

Total value

$725,000 - $1,350,000

Applicable study areas

Environment and natural resources; Medicine, dentistry, health and welfare

Number of scholarships awarded

Approximately 10, apply any time all year

  • "A Wellcome Trust Overseas Senior Research Fellowship in Biomedical Science supported me to build a group in the Department of Medicine, researching malaria in pregnancy. Additionally, I could continue my research collaboration with the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Laboratories. The Fellowship opened doors to other opportunities, including a leading role in the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium, supported by the Gates Foundation, designing and running a clinical trial of malaria prevention in Papua New Guinea. My Malawi and Papua New Guinea links remain front and centre in my international malaria research collaborations."
    Read Prof. Stephen Rogerson's story
  • Eligibility & selection criteria

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • Have an established track record in research at the highest level.
    • Have sponsorship from an eligible host organisation in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
    • Have a research project that is within the Trust's scientific remit.

    This award is particularly suitable for senior research scientists who:

    • want to work in the UK or Republic of Ireland but are currently based in a different country, or
    • currently hold Senior Research Fellowships in the UK or Republic of Ireland.

    Refer to the Wellcome Trust's Find a Scheme website for further information.

    Selection criteria

    The Wellcome Trust will assess:

    • your track record and standing in the field
    • the quality and importance of your research question(s)
    • your approach to solving these problems
    • the suitability of your research environment
  • Application process

    Applications are online and applicants can express an interest at any time.

    You will need to send a full CV and a brief outline of your plans to a head of department in one of the Wellcome Trust's Science teams, preferably 12 months before the date you want the award to start. The Wellcome Trust will then assess your eligibility and give advice about your competitiveness and the resources you've requested. If suitable, you will be invited to submit a full application.

    For enquiries, use the Trust's contact form or visit The Wellcome Trust's “Principal Research Fellowships” website.

  • Variations of this award

    In addition to the “Principal Research Fellowships”, The Wellcome Trust offers over 50 fellowships, awards, studentships and research funds.

What are the benefits?

A salary in the range of £75,000 to £100,000 per annum, a Distinction Award of up to £50,000, resarch expenses, research funding, plus allowances.

Other benefits include funding for Research Enrichment, available to increase the impact of your work through activities in public engagement, open research, and diversity and inclusion.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.