The Academy of Medical Sciences and Wellcome have confirmed a strengthened partnership through a new five-year agreement worth £27.3 million, designed to support biomedical and health researchers across the UK and accelerate cross-sector collaboration.
What the agreement covers
The agreement targets three core goals: (1) building the UK’s pipeline of research talent, (2) fostering an inclusive, collaborative ecosystem across academia, industry and the NHS, and (3) informing sustainable workforce policy through evidence-led programmes.
Key programmes receiving support
As part of the deal, Wellcome will co-fund the Academy’s Future Leaders in Innovation, Enterprise and Research (FLIER) programme and continue backing Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers, Springboard awards and the Cross-sector Programme — all initiatives aimed at early- and mid-career researchers. These programmes are explicitly designed to give researchers protected time, mentorship and the skills to work across sectors.
Why this matters for the UK research ecosystem
The Academy highlights worrying workforce trends: there are fewer medically qualified researchers now than in the past decade, and many early-career scientists find it hard to secure a stable path to independence. The new funding is framed not only as direct investment but as a lever to shape policy and create sustainable career pathways that translate discoveries into patient benefit.
Voices from the partnership
Professor Andrew Morris, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, emphasised the need for protected time and mentorship for researchers and cited evidence that Academy grants generate strong follow-on funding and career progression. Rachel McKendry, Executive Director of Discovery at Wellcome, said the renewed partnership will create opportunities for future leaders to develop across every career stage.
Practical impacts — what to expect
- More funded fellowships and starter grants aimed at clinical and non-clinical researchers.
- Expanded cross-sector training to help researchers work with industry and the NHS.
- Evidence-led policy work to address workforce shortages and career progression barriers.
Call to action (for researchers & institutions)
Researchers and university research offices should watch for application rounds and guidance from the Academy of Medical Sciences and Wellcome, update institutional talent development pages, and ensure mentorship and protected-time policies are visible to applicants.
For press enquiries, programme details and next application windows, consult the Academy of Medical Sciences and Wellcome websites and the original announcement.