Deadline: 25-Aug-2026
The Wellcome Accelerator Funding Programme supports UK-based researchers of Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani heritage to advance their academic careers through research, training, and professional development. It provides up to £200,000 in project costs (plus possible salary support) to strengthen career progression, leadership skills, and research capacity in underrepresented groups in academia.
Overview of the Programme
The Wellcome Accelerator Funding Programme is designed to improve equity in academic research by supporting researchers from underrepresented heritage backgrounds in the United Kingdom. It focuses on enabling long-term career progression in research and academia.
The programme combines research funding with career development support such as training, networking, and secondments.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to strengthen academic inclusion and career development.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting career progression in academia
- Increasing representation of Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani researchers
- Enhancing research and leadership capacity
- Supporting professional training and development
- Enabling networking and collaboration opportunities
- Promoting inclusive research environments
- Supporting secondments and research-adjacent experience
- Strengthening long-term academic career pathways
Focus Areas
The funding supports a broad range of research and professional development activities.
Focus areas include:
- Academic research development
- Career advancement in higher education
- Training and skill-building programmes
- Research networking and collaboration
- Secondments and institutional placements
- Leadership development in research careers
- Inclusive research systems and practices
- Research-adjacent professional experience
Funding Details
The programme provides flexible financial support for research careers.
Funding structure:
- Up to £200,000 for project expenses
- Possible salary support included
- Researchers must dedicate at least 80% of time to funded activities
- Funding may support:
- Research costs
- Training programmes
- Networking activities
- Secondments
- Professional development initiatives
Eligibility Criteria
Required Heritage Background
Applicants must self-identify as:
- Black heritage
- Bangladeshi heritage
- Pakistani heritage
- Including mixed heritage involving these backgrounds
Residency Requirements
- Must currently live or work in the United Kingdom
Academic and Research Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A PhD or equivalent research degree, OR
- Passed PhD viva, OR
- At least 4 years of equivalent research experience
- Completed substantial research training
Educational Requirements
Applicants must also have:
- A UK undergraduate degree, OR
- A UK-awarded PhD
Employment Conditions
- Open-ended or permanent contract holders eligible only if appointed within last 3 years
- Exceptions apply for career breaks, illness, or part-time work
Clinical Researchers
- Must remain registered with relevant professional body if continuing clinical work
Ineligible Applicants
The programme does not accept applicants who:
- Do not meet required heritage criteria
- Are not based in the UK
- Do not hold qualifying UK degrees
- Lack required research training
- Have long-term permanent contracts beyond eligibility limits (without exception)
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to deliver long-term academic impact.
Expected outcomes include:
- Increased diversity in UK research careers
- Stronger academic progression for underrepresented groups
- Enhanced research leadership capacity
- Expanded professional networks
- Improved access to academic opportunities
- Stronger institutional inclusion practices
Importance of the Programme
This initiative addresses structural inequality in academic research.
It contributes by:
- Reducing barriers in academic career progression
- Supporting underrepresented researchers
- Strengthening equity in higher education
- Improving diversity in research leadership
- Enhancing innovation through inclusive participation
- Building sustainable academic career pathways
Conclusion
The Wellcome Accelerator Funding Programme provides targeted support for UK-based researchers of Black, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani heritage. By combining funding with career development opportunities, it strengthens academic progression, promotes inclusion, and supports long-term diversity in research and higher education.
For more information, visit Wellcome Trust.