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Wellcome Doctoral Programmes for Healthcare Professionals (UK) – Funding Opportunity 2026

Wellcome Trust (UK)
Funding supports new or renewed doctoral training programmes hosted by UK-based research institutions, which may include:
• Universities
• NHS Trusts / Health Boards
• Research Institutes
• Multi-institution consortia (up to 7 co-directors)

Location: United Kingdom (programmes may partner with international institutions)

Eligibility Criteria Who can apply (for funding): • UK-based universities, research institutes, NHS organisations, or consortia • Lead applicant must be an established researcher based in an eligible UK host organisation • Up to seven co-directors may collaborate across organisations • Applicants must demonstrate experience in delivering doctoral training • Programmes must focus on training healthcare professionals as doctoral researchers Eligibility for future PhD fellows (once programmes launch): • Registered healthcare professionals in the UK or Republic of Ireland • Strong academic and clinical research interest • Meeting doctoral admission standards of the host institution(s)

The Wellcome Doctoral Programmes for Healthcare Professionals provide large-scale funding for UK institutions to train the next generation of healthcare professional-academics.

The scheme supports the creation or renewal of structured doctoral training pathways specifically designed for doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and other registered clinical professionals.

Funded programmes deliver:
• High-quality PhD training in world-class research environments
• Supervision by leading clinical academics and scientists
• Protected research time for healthcare professionals
• Multidisciplinary research projects across health, biomedical, and population sciences
• Career development, leadership training, and professional support

Wellcome expects to fund approximately 12 programmes, each supporting five cohorts of PhD fellows beginning in Autumn 2027.

Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply (for funding):
• UK-based universities, research institutes, NHS organisations, or consortia

• Lead applicant must be an established researcher based in an eligible UK host organisation

• Up to seven co-directors may collaborate across organisations

• Applicants must demonstrate experience in delivering doctoral training

• Programmes must focus on training healthcare professionals as doctoral researchers

Eligibility for future PhD fellows (once programmes launch):
• Registered healthcare professionals in the UK or Republic of Ireland

• Strong academic and clinical research interest

• Meeting doctoral admission standards of the host institution(s)

Funding / Coverage

Wellcome Funding Package (Approx. £12 Million per Programme)
Covers:
• Full programme operational costs

• Fellowships for multiple cohorts (3–5 healthcare professionals per intake)

• Tuition fees for all doctoral fellows

• Stipends / salary support (via host institutions)

• Research project funding

• Travel & training costs

• Career development and mentorship activities

• Administrative and coordination support

• Multi-organizational collaborations and partnerships

Additional Notes:
• Highly competitive funding call

• Institutions—not individuals—apply for this scheme

• Programmes must demonstrate strong research culture, mentorship, and long-term sustainability

Program Level
• Doctoral (PhD) Training Programme

• Supports five intakes of fellows beginning 2027

Programme Focus Areas (Examples)
(Determined by the host institutions; may include):
• Clinical Research & Translational Medicine
• Public Health & Epidemiology
• Biomedical Science
• Mental Health & Neuroscience
• Primary Care Research
• Health Data Science
• Global Health
• Health Services Research

10 februari 2026

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