# Discovery Awards

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny
**Duration:** Up to 8 years (average 7 years; may be less for some disciplines or longer if part-time)
**Consortium:** Optional — coapplicants accepted; team size usually 2–8 applicants including lead; individual applications also permitted
**Application:** 2-stage: preliminary → full
**TRL:** Discovery science
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2026-09
**Eligible countries:** GB, IE
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-discovery-awards
**Last updated:** 2 Sept 2026

> **Recently updated:** catalog cleanup 2026-07-04: duplicate row (canonical sibling kept)

## Eligibility & scope

For established researchers or teams pursuing bold, creative research with potential to improve human health. Lead applicant must be based at a UK, Republic of Ireland, or LMIC (excl. India and mainland China) not-for-profit institution with a permanent/open-ended contract. Research can span any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health. Grant funds cannot be transferred to mainland China.

## Summary

The Wellcome Discovery Award funds bold, interdisciplinary research projects with a clear link to human health, offering up to £8.8 million over up to eight years. It is open to established research teams led by investigators with international standing in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or OECD low- and middle-income countries. The award covers all resources needed for the research, with rolling open calls (three rounds per fiscal year).

## Who should apply

- Established researchers and research teams with international standing
- Lead investigators based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or OECD low- and middle-income countries
- Interdisciplinary projects across any discipline with demonstrable health impact
- Teams with the resources and track record to execute large, ambitious programmes
- Not suitable for large-scale clinical trials

## Key dates

- Rolling open calls with three submission windows per fiscal year
- Up to eight-year project duration
- Covers all resources and consumables needed

## Tips for applicants

- Wellcome values boldness and creativity; position your research question as ambitious and distinctive, not incremental.
- International standing is a gating criterion, lead PI track record and visibility are as important as the science itself.
- Ensure a clear, specific health link, even for fundamental research; vague or distant connections weaken applications here.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Wellcome Discovery Award fund?

Up to £8.8 million per project over up to eight years, covering all resources and consumables needed.

### Who can apply for the Wellcome Discovery Award?

Established research teams led by investigators with international standing, based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or OECD low- and middle-income countries (excluding China and India).

### What types of research does the Wellcome Discovery Award fund?

Bold, creative research questions across any discipline with a clear link to human health, excluding large-scale clinical trials.

### How often can I apply to the Wellcome Discovery Award?

Wellcome runs three rolling submission windows per fiscal year, so you can apply multiple times.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/wellcome-discovery-award-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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