The Academy of Medical Sciences and Wellcome have strengthened their long-standing partnership through a new five-year agreement worth £27.3 million, marking a significant commitment to supporting biomedical and health researchers across the UK at a critical time for the life sciences sector.
The expanded partnership represents a new phase in the relationship between the two organisations, reflecting their shared commitment to improving health for everyone. Discovery research within the UK and worldwide has been shaped by Wellcome, and its investment in solutions-focused approaches to global health threats herald a new era of progress. The Academy’s position at the intersection of life sciences, bolstered by a Fellowship of 1,500 world-leading experts, drives the partnership’s ability to translate discovery, translational and clinical research into tangible health benefits. Together, the two organisations can convene, influence and catalyse new and innovative ways to harness research for greater health impact.
The partnership has three primary goals: to further the UK’s position as a global leader in nurturing biomedical and health research talent; to create a more inclusive, innovative ecosystem that encourages multi-sector and transdisciplinary collaboration; and to power sustainable and evidence-based development in the research workforce across academia, industry and the NHS through policy work.
Building on a track record of success, the partnership will see Wellcome become a co-funder of the Academy’s FLIER (Future Leaders in Innovation, Enterprise and Research) programme, alongside continuing support for existing activities including the Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers initiative, Springboard awards and Cross-sector Programme. Together, these activities address critical challenges facing the UK’s health research workforce, from the need for greater cross-sector mobility and collaboration to the declining numbers of clinical academics, which is measurable and accelerating with 6% fewer medically qualified researchers since 2012. Wellcome will support over 100 Starter Grant awardees over five years, with all beneficiaries benefitting from an increase in grant value from £30,000 to £40,000.
The biggest health challenges – from developing new treatments to implementing system-wide change – require researchers who can speak the language of multiple sectors and broker partnerships that turn ideas into reality. The FLIER programme represents a unique approach to developing leaders who are cross-sector and cross-discipline natives. Funding for the 18-month leadership programme will support 80 participants over four cohorts, equipping them to work flexibly across academia, industry, NHS and public sectors.
One FLIER alumna, Dr Elin Haf Davies, recently negotiated the acquisition of the company that she founded, Aparito, by Eli Lilly and company. Another collaboration launched in 2021 between three FLIER participants led by Professor Charlotte Summers, secured £10.4 million from NIHR to support the COVID-HEAL trial.
Supporting researchers nationwide through funding and networking, the partnership will expand the Springboard awards scheme alongside three new cross-sector regional hubs. Complementing the existing hubs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the new hubs will host 45 events over five years, reaching over 2,000 people and creating connections between researchers, innovators, industry partners, healthcare professionals and patients across different sectors and career stages. For the first time, our long-standing policy collaboration will be formalised with Wellcome also funding a dedicated policy workstream focused on careers policy. This builds on the Academy’s influential 2023 report, Future-proofing UK Health Research: a people-centred coordinated approach, which has enhanced coordination and informed research assessment and workforce surveys across the sector.
The partnership provides a catalyst for broader sector collaboration, with both organisations continuing to work alongside other key sector funders and stakeholders, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research Academy, British Heart Foundation, Arthritis UK, Vivensa Foundation, Kidney Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, learned societies and regional partners across the UK, to address shared challenges facing the research workforce.
Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This strengthened partnership with Wellcome gives us real momentum to address the challenges facing talented individuals working in UK health research. There are 6% fewer medically qualified researchers since 2012, whilst early-career researchers across all disciplines struggle to secure the support they need to establish independent careers.
“The Academy’s programmes deliver real impact. With our Starter Grants, for every pound invested, we see returns of up to twelve pounds in follow-on funding. Awardees are twice as likely to secure research positions and progress to leadership roles. But funding alone isn't enough: researchers need protected time, mentorship and the skills to work across academia, industry and the NHS.
“This five-year agreement with Wellcome enables us to support researchers from their first independent position through to leadership roles, whilst using evidence to shape policy on research careers. It's about building a workforce that can turn scientific discoveries into better patient care.”
Rachel McKendry, Executive Director of Discovery at Wellcome, said: “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences, and this renewed commitment will provide future leaders in health and biomedical research the opportunities to develop skills through every stage of their careers. Supporting talent, fostering collaboration and engaging policy through these programmes will ultimately lead to uncovering cutting-edge new discoveries and improve lives.”
