# Discovery Award

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny
**Deadline:** 22 September 2026 (Upcoming deadline in September 2026)
**Duration:** Usually 8 years (may be shorter for some disciplines)
**Consortium:** Optional — can apply as individual established researcher or as a team of 2-8 applicants led by an established researcher
**Application:** Single stage: full application → shortlisting (November 2026) → interviews (9–11 March 2027)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2026-09
**Eligible countries:** GB, IE
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-discovery-awards
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

> **Recently updated:** catalog cleanup 2026-07-04: budget copied from duplicate sibling

## Eligibility & scope

Funding for established researchers or teams (2-8 applicants) to pursue bold, creative research in any discipline (STEM, humanities, social science, clinical/health) to shift understanding of human life, health and wellbeing. Administering organisation must be a not-for-profit in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); grant funds cannot be transferred to mainland China.

## Summary

Wellcome Discovery Awards fund bold, creative research from established researchers or teams pursuing methodologies or insights that advance health understanding, with average grants of £3.5 million over up to eight years. Lead applicants must be based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low- or middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China); UK and Ireland-based leads cannot claim salary. The call opens twice yearly, with application deadlines in March and September.

## Who should apply

- Established researchers or team leads with a track record of independent research
- Applicants hosted at UK, Republic of Ireland, or low/middle-income country institutions
- Researchers pursuing innovative methodologies or fundamental insights that benefit health
- Projects with genuine creative risk or methodological novelty

## Key dates

- Deadline 22 September 2026 (and recurring March rounds)
- Single-stage written assessment
- Up to eight years project duration (average seven years)

## Tips for applicants

- Applications above £5M face additional scrutiny, justify the scope and cost explicitly if exceeding this threshold.
- Lead from a UK or Ireland institution? You cannot claim salary costs; build your budget around UK salary band restrictions.
- Wellcome prioritises creative risk and methodological innovation here, not incremental progress, frame the bold question, not the straightforward experiment.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I apply for in a Wellcome Discovery Award?

The average award is £3.5 million; applications above £5 million are subject to additional scrutiny by the funder.

### Who is eligible to lead a Wellcome Discovery Award?

Established researchers or team leads whose administering organisation is in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low- or middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China).

### How long does a Wellcome Discovery Award last?

Up to eight years; the average is seven years, though some disciplines may receive shorter or longer durations.

### Can I include co-applicants or collaborators in a Discovery Award?

Yes, co-applicants and collaborators are permitted; the lead must meet the eligibility criteria.

### How often does Wellcome run the Discovery Awards call?

Twice per year, with deadlines in March and September.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/wellcome-discovery-awards-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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