UK Wellcome Discovery Awards Scholarship 2026
The Wellcome Discovery Awards 2026 represent one of the most prestigious research funding opportunities for established researchers and research teams across disciplines. Offered by the Wellcome Trust, these awards are designed to support bold, creative, and transformative research that delivers significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health, and wellbeing. With funding amounts averaging £3.5 million and durations of up to eight years, the program empowers global researchers to lead long-term projects that push the boundaries of science, medicine, humanities, and technology.
The Wellcome Discovery Awards aim to drive innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration by providing the freedom and resources needed to pursue ambitious ideas. Open to researchers based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, and low- and middle-income countries (except India and mainland China), this program supports projects that can transform the way we understand and improve global health. Applications are reviewed three times a year, with upcoming deadlines in July 2025 and November 2025.
Degree Level
- PhD
- Research
Available Subjects
This award is open to established researchers and research teams in any discipline, including:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Clinical and Allied Health Sciences
- Public Health and Epidemiology
- Experimental Medicine
- Humanities and Social Sciences
Projects can be single-discipline or multidisciplinary but must align with Wellcome’s mission to improve human health and wellbeing.
Benefits
A Wellcome Discovery Award provides funding for research expenses.
- The award usually lasts for 8 years, but may be less for some disciplines, such as humanities and social science.
- The award may be held on a part-time basis. We will extend the duration of the award to reflect this.
- You should ask for a level and duration of funding that’s appropriate for your proposed research. You will need to justify these costs in your grant application.
- The award includes:
- continuing professional development and training
- staff
- materials and consumable
- animals
- equipment
- access charges
- overheads
- travel and subsistence
- overseas allowance
- fieldwork expenses
- inflation allowance
- open access charges
- clinical research costs
- public engagement and patient involvement costs
- contract research organistaion
The award does not include salary costs for the lead applicant.
We only provide a salary for coapplicants in certain circumstances
Eligible Nationalities
People from UK, UK, Republic of Ireland, Low- or middle-income countries (apart from India and mainland China) can apply for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be established researchers with a proven record of research excellence.
- Propose a bold and high-impact project that significantly advances understanding in health or wellbeing.
- Be based at an eligible administering organization capable of managing the grant.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and positive research culture within their teams.
Not Eligible:
- Researchers applying as lead applicants on two active Discovery Award submissions.
- Projects involving transfer of grant funds to mainland China.
- Activities that fall outside Wellcome’s Discovery Research scope.
Host Institutions
Eligible administering organizations must be not-for-profit institutions based in:
- The United Kingdom
- The Republic of Ireland
- Low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) except India and mainland China
- Qualified institutions include universities, research institutes, healthcare organizations, and social enterprises.
Application Procedure
- Prepare Proposal: Ensure your research fits within Wellcome’s Discovery Research framework.
- Create an Account: Register on the Wellcome Funding Platform.
- Submit Application: Complete and submit your proposal before the deadline (with organizational approval).
- Shortlisting and Review: Applications undergo expert peer review and are assessed for boldness, quality, and feasibility.
- Interview Stage: Shortlisted applicants present their proposals before the Discovery Award Interview Panel in London (or remotely).
- Final Decision: The Discovery Research Decision Board makes funding decisions, followed by official notifications.
Key Dates for the 2026 Round
- Applications open: 6 August 2025
- Deadline for submissions: 25 November 2025 (15:00 GMT)
- Shortlisting: February 2026
- Interviews: 19–21 May 2026
