Leading a research programme

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For researchers with a PhD or the equivalent, and significant postdoctoral research experience.

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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. 

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Basic
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During this career stage
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During this career stage
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In this career stage, you’ll:

  • develop your research ideas and vision
  • train and develop less experienced researchers
  • build collaborations eg with other researchers, in industry or with policy makers
  • develop and maintain an international reputation for your research.
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Qualifications, skills and experience you'll need
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Qualifications, skills and experience you'll need
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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:

  • you should have led internationally recognised contributions to your research area eg publications, patents, software development or an impact on policy
  • you should have a track record of sustained research support from major funding bodies
  • you will have established an international reputation as a research leader in your field, eg through awards, invitations to present your work, membership of professional bodies, advisory or editorial boards
  • you will have experience of developing and mentoring less experienced researchers.
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Researcher stories
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Researcher stories
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Read about the career journeys of some of our researchers.

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Our funding in biomedical science and population health research
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research - text
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Early stages of an independent career

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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Enabling clinically active healthcare professionals to continue their research at postdoctoral level and develop scientific independence. 
Title
Clinical Research Career Development Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/clinical-research-career-development-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Funding teams of researchers, consisting of independent research groups, to work together on the most important scientific problems that can only be solved through collaborative efforts.
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Collaborative Awards in Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/collaborative-awards-science
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Offering short-term funding for biomedical researchers to travel between the UK and the Middle East to learn new techniques and develop academic collaborations.
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Daniel Turnberg Travel Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/daniel-turnberg-travel-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Supporting researchers who are transforming great ideas into healthcare innovations that could have a significant impact on human health.
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Innovator Awards
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/innovator-awards
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Offering nationals of low- and middle-income countries the opportunity to lead their own research programmes.
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International Intermediate Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/international-intermediate-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Enabling independent researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most important questions in science.
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Investigator Awards in Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/investigator-awards-science
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Providing support for postdoctoral researchers at academic organisations in the Republic of Ireland who aim to become independent scientists leading their own group.
Title
Research Career Development Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/research-career-development-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Offering postdoctoral research scientists the opportunity to re-establish their scientific careers after a continuous break from research of at least two years.
Title
Research Career Re-entry Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/research-career-re-entry-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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Providing support for postdoctoral researchers who aim to become independent scientists leading their own groups. The scheme is a partnership between the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust.
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Sir Henry Dale Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/sir-henry-dale-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)
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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.
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Springboard Awards
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/springboard-awards
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (early stages of independent career)

Later stages of an independent career

Admin title
Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
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Text Listing
Content
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Funding teams of researchers, consisting of independent research groups, to work together on the most important scientific problems that can only be solved through collaborative efforts.
Title
Collaborative Awards in Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/collaborative-awards-science
Published date
Modified date
Admin title
Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
Body
Supporting researchers who are transforming great ideas into healthcare innovations that could have a significant impact on human health.
Title
Innovator Awards
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/innovator-awards
Published date
Modified date
Admin title
Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
Body
Enabling independent researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most important questions in science.
Title
Investigator Awards in Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/investigator-awards-science
Published date
Modified date
Admin title
Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
Body
Offering postdoctoral research scientists the opportunity to re-establish their scientific careers after a continuous break from research of at least two years.
Title
Research Career Re-entry Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/research-career-re-entry-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
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Supporting independent researchers who are emerging as global leaders in their field and want to tackle the most important questions in science.
Title
Senior Research Fellowships
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/senior-research-fellowships
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Leading - Our funding in biomedical science and population health research (later stages of independent career)
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Our funding in humanities and social science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Funding teams who are tackling major health-related questions in the humanities and social sciences that require a collaborative approach.
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Collaborative Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/collaborative-awards-humanities-and-social-science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Enabling researchers to run international exchange programmes. The exchanges will help to transform careers and shape the direction of future research.
Title
International Exchange Programmes in Humanities, Social Science and Bioethics
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/international-exchange-programmes-humanities-social-science-and-bioethics
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Enabling humanities and social science researchers with a compelling research vision to tackle the most significant questions in human health.
Title
Investigator Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/investigator-awards-humanities-and-social-science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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For groups of researchers who want the time and resources to shape the direction of their future work. The development programmes will lay the foundation for research that takes risks and pushes academic boundaries.
Title
Research Development Awards in Humanities, Social Science and Bioethics
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/research-development-awards-humanities-social-science-and-bioethics
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Supporting postdoctoral researchers in health-related humanities and social sciences who do not hold established academic posts.
Title
Research Fellowships in Humanities and Social Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/research-fellowships-humanities-and-social-science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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Enabling humanities and social science researchers to gain permanent positions at academic organisations.
Title
University Awards in Humanities and Social Science
Link
/grant-funding/schemes/university-awards-humanities-and-social-science
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Leading - Our funding in humanities and social science
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After you’ve led a research programme
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After you’ve led a research programme
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Established independent researchers can apply for more funding at this level or consider careers related to research or outside of research.

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Leading a Research Programme - Grant Funding | Wellcome
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Get information about Wellcome's funding schemes for research leaders. Find out what to expect during this stage of your career and how we can support you.
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