Funding Manager - Humanities and Social Sciences

Closing date: Thursday, 29 January 2026

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – end date:
March 2027

Interview dates: 1st stage (19,20 and 23 February) online/Remote

Salary: £46,700

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health and wellbeing, and tackling three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. At the heart of our new strategy is the recognition that advances in health often come from unexpected sources, and that curiosity‑driven discovery research is vital to understanding how life works.

We are looking for a Funding Manager – Humanities and Social Sciences to join our team for a fixed‑term contract (end date: March 2027).

Research Funding is responsible for the operational management, governance, and support of all Wellcome’s grant funding activities. This role is in the Funding Management team, which delivers and manages funding schemes, targeted calls, major investments, and one‑off applications. We work closely with colleagues in Strategic Programmes, Legal and Finance to implement funding activities. We manage the full life cycle of grant applications—from submission and review to award—for Discovery Research and Data for Science and Health.

You’ll manage a portfolio of grants across the full life cycle—carrying out due diligence, coordinating expert reviews and funding advisory committees, providing clear written feedback, making awards and responding to queries—so applications are handled fairly, efficiently and on time. You’ll be a trusted point of contact for our research community, working with colleagues to enable world‑class research through inclusive, transparent processes.

• Manage a portfolio of grants throughout their lifecycle – from application and due diligence to award and post‑award queries – ensuring processes are fair, efficient and timely.
• Coordinate expert reviews and funding committees, identifying appropriate reviewers, managing communications and supporting good governance and decision‑making.
• Provide clear, constructive feedback by distilling complex committee discussions into accurate, accessible advice for applicants.
• Act as a trusted advisor, offering guidance to applicants and colleagues on funding policies, assessment processes and best practice.
• Ensure smooth grant management post‑award, handling queries, monitoring compliance and supporting grant holders to deliver successful outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, mentoring new team members, supporting funding initiatives and helping shape policies and processes that promote inclusivity and efficiency.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have experience in the research environment, understand funding processes, and can manage complex priorities with confidence. Strong communication, analytical skills and attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively. If you’re organised, adaptable and keen to make a positive impact on world‑class research, we’d love to hear from you.

• Experience of academic research environment and/or strong understanding of research funding mechanisms and educated to at least degree level in a relevant science, medical humanities, social science or public health subject.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage large workloads, and work to deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to summarise complex information and tailor it for specific audiences.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills – ability to quickly build the trust of internal and external stakeholders.

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description? (Up to 500 words)
• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different…