The Wellcome Accelerator Awards 2025 are a prestigious, equity-driven funding initiative by the Wellcome Trust designed to empower early- to mid-career researchers from Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani heritage backgrounds working or residing in the UK. Offering up to £200,000 in project funds plus salary support (if required) over a period of up to two years, these awards support a wide range of activities—from gathering pilot data, attending specialist training, and undertaking secondments, to networking, preparing publications, and submitting follow-on grants.
The awards aim to tackle the underrepresentation of these heritage groups in UK research: data show that only 2.9% of Black, 0.5% of Bangladeshi, and 1.1% of Pakistani researchers are part of the academic workforce, compared to their proportions in the general population. By removing barriers, the Accelerator Awards strive to help recipients build research capacity, boost their profiles, and navigate the path to long-term academic success.
Eligibility is limited to UK-based researchers who self-identify as Black (including those with mixed Black heritage), Bangladeshi, or Pakistani, and who have completed a substantive period of research training—either a PhD (with a passed viva) or, in other disciplines, at least four years of equivalent research experience. Applications must be submitted through the Wellcome Funding Platform by 15 July 2025 (17:00 BST).
The selection process is designed to reflect both the applicant’s long- and short-term career vision (35%), the strength and feasibility of their project plan (35%), and their track record—including research output and contributions to research culture (30%). Shortlisting occurs in September 2025, with final funding decisions expected in November 2025.
Applications are welcomed across disciplines—provided the proposal aligns with Wellcome’s remit, which includes discovery research, climate and health, mental health, or infectious disease. The scheme’s flexibility reflects its ambition to build a more diverse, robust research community in the UK.
Location:
United KingdomBenefits
Key benefits of applying to the Wellcome Accelerator Awards 2025:
- Generous Funding – Up to £200,000 available per awardee for research activities, plus optional salary support for up to two years.
- Career Development Support – Enables researchers to gather preliminary data, attend training programs, collaborate across institutions, and strengthen applications for future funding.
- Tailored for Underrepresented Groups – Specifically supports UK-based researchers from Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani heritage, addressing racial disparities in research funding and representation.
- Flexible Use of Funds – Funding can be used for a wide range of activities including research, publishing, mentoring, community engagement, and conference participation.
- Increased Visibility and Recognition- Receiving a Wellcome award boosts a researcher’s academic profile and enhances their credibility within their field.
Eligibilities
The lead applicant must:
Self-identify as being from a:
- Black heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Black African; Black Caribbean; Black Other; Mixed background (must include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).
- Bangladeshi heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Bangladeshi Other; Mixed background (must include Bangladeshi backgrounds).
- Pakistani heritage background, including a mixed heritage background. For example, Pakistani Other; Mixed background (must include Pakistani backgrounds).
Currently be working in or ordinarily resident in the UK.
Have completed a substantive period of research training relevant to their discipline by the time they submit the application. You must have either:
- Completed a PhD (for example, in the life sciences) or an equivalent higher research degree, at a UK institution. You must have passed your viva examination by the application deadline. Or,
- If you have not started a PhD or equivalent degree, at least four years’ equivalent research experience (for example, in the humanities and social sciences) at a UK institution.
If you hold your first permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract, you must have been appointed within the last three years unless, during this time, you:
- spent time away from research due to personal circumstances (for example, for a career break, parental leave, long-term sick leave or a chronic illness)
- worked part-time and research was not part of the role (for example if you have been employed as a healthcare professional)
- worked part-time and your cumulative research time is less than three years.
If you hold a proleptic appointment, you can request your salary costs from Wellcome for the duration of the award.
Health professionals
If you are a health professional and want to continue with clinical activities, you must be registered with and licensed by the relevant professional regulator in the country you intend to work in.
You must be currently working in or ordinarily resident in the UK. Your administering organisation must be in the UK. The grant cannot be held at an organisation outside the UK at any time.
You cannot apply for this scheme if you are an early-career researcher or mid-career researcher who already holds another Wellcome award as a lead applicant.
To check for further requirements and specificities, visit the following link: https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-accelerator-awards#who-can-apply-f8c4
Eligible Regions: United KingdomApplication Process
Applicants need to apply for this scheme on the Wellcome Funding Platform.
To get some tips to help write the grant application, visit: https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/how-to-write-wellcome-grant-application#writing-your-application-adec
Applicants need to answer questions about:
- your career goals
- your project plan
- the skills and experience you would develop during the grant
- the requested costs for your proposal
Download application questions and format via the following link: https://cms.wellcome.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/Wellcome-Accelerator-Award-sample-form-080525.pdf
To apply, visit the apply link provided below.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025 (25 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
