Wellcome Discovery Awards. Deadline: 22 September 2026
ABOUT
Wellcome Discovery Awards support established researchers and teams pursuing bold and creative research ideas with the potential to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.
Research can be in any discipline and may be single-discipline or multidisciplinary. Awards can also support the development of methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research.
From 23 September 2026, the scheme will be always open, without deadlines.
Eligibility
Lead applicants must be established researchers with a track record of leading innovative research. Applications may be submitted by an individual or a team, with co-applicants able to contribute expertise from different disciplines and career stages.
Eligible administering organisations include organisations in the UK and eligible low- and middle-income countries, subject to Wellcome's eligibility requirements.
Awards
The average award is approximately £3.5 million, with funding available for up to eight years. Applicants should request the level of funding needed to deliver their proposed research rather than treating the average award as a funding limit.