News: Wellcome Early-Career Awards – Opportunity for Immunologists & Infection Researchers - FAIS Africa

December 8, 2025 | |

Are you an early-career immunology or infection researcher looking to lead your own project? The Wellcome Early-Career Awards offer a fantastic funding opportunity that could support your next breakthrough.

What’s on offer

  • Full salary support + up to £400,000 for research expenses over the course of the award (typically up to 5 years).

  • Funding for a wide range of costs: lab reagents, equipment, staff, consumables, training, overheads, overseas allowances (if eligible), etc.

Who can apply

  • Early-career researchers (recent PhD holders or equivalent research experience) from any discipline relevant to health — including immunology, infection biology, clinical/immunological research, public health, experimental medicine, etc.

  • Applicants based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or in eligible low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China).

Why immunologists should apply

  • The scheme is explicitly open to projects in infection and immunobiology, evaluated by a dedicated advisory group (Infection & Immunobiology).

  • Great for lab-based immunology, translational projects, host–pathogen studies, vaccine development, immune response research, and other work central to global health challenges.

  • Generous funding and support enable you to build your own independent research programme — ideal for early-career scientists seeking to establish themselves in immunology and infectious disease research.

How to apply

  • Ensure your institution is eligible (non-profit research/academic/healthcare organisation) and able to meet grant conditions.

  • Develop a strong, ambitious research proposal aiming to advance understanding in immunology/infection, or to develop novel tools, methods, or approaches relevant to health.

Deadline for new applications: Application deadline: 17 February 2026, 15:00 GMT. Apply here.