Funding and training opportunities

Researchers may apply to the Wellcome Trust for funding as part of a prospective application for a biomedical science grant or as a standalone project under the Ethics and Society schemes. Information about grants from other funders is also available in this section.

Applying for a biomedical science grant

• The Wellcome Trust is supportive of approaches that promote uptake in policy of the breadth of research evidence available, rather than the promotion of funded researchers’ particular findings.
• Where appropriate, the Trust will consider funding requests for engaging with policy makers as part of applications for grants in biomedical science. Consider the extent to which your research may have implications for local, national or international health policy or guidelines. Before preparing and while preparing your application, you may wish to explore costs associated with engaging with policy makers at an early stage in your research. If you have any questions regarding the eligibility of specific costs for funding, please contact our Grant Service Desk (grantenquiries@wellcome.ac.uk).

Awards for policy research and public engagement

• Some projects aiming to understand the link between research and policy may be appropriate for the Wellcome Trust's Ethics and Society or Public Engagement funding schemes.
• Applications for projects aiming to engage policy makers with Trust-funded research overseas are accepted through the International Public Engagement scheme.
• If you are a medical humanities researcher, the Wellcome Trust-POST Fellowship enables a Wellcome Trust-funded PhD student or junior fellows in ethics and society to undertake a three-month fellowship at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).
• If you are interested in influencing science policy, apply to take part in the Royal Society’s Pairing Scheme. The scheme aims to build bridges between the best researchers in the country, civil servants and members of the UK parliament. It comprises three activities: a briefing by the Royal Society, a week in Westminster, and reciprocal visits to the constituency office and the laboratory. Previous participants report that the scheme offers the opportunity to learn how to contribute directly to the science policy-making process.

Training and opportunities

• The Wellcome Trust's Narrative Skills Workshops offer an opportunity to refine your communication skills with regard to explaining your research to non-specialists in your field.
• The Academy of Medical Sciences offers a policy internship scheme for PhD students who are funded by either the Wellcome Trust or the Medical Research Council.
• Wellcome Trust-funded PhD students or junior fellows supported through the Ethics and Society programme may apply to undertake a three-month fellowship at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).
• The Royal Society operates a scheme by which scientists may partner with MPs and civil servants whose remit covers their area of work.