# Mental Health Award: Understanding How Anxiety and Trauma-Related Problems Develop

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Up to £4 million
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Application:** 2-stage: preliminary application → full application
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/mental-health-award-understanding-how-anxiety-and-trauma-related-problems
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to researchers at eligible organisations (HEIs, research institutes, non-academic healthcare, NGOs, commercial orgs with working capital). Lead/co-applicants must contribute ≥20% research time. UK/Republic of Ireland-based leads cannot claim salary. Funds research on biological, psychological and/or social mechanisms of anxiety/trauma-related problems; at least one priority area required (multi-level explanation or LMIC context). No transfer of funds to mainland China.

## Summary

The Wellcome Mental Health Award funds research on how anxiety and trauma-related problems develop across biological, psychological, and social levels, with grants up to £4 million over five years. The call is open to researchers at UK and international eligible organisations, including universities, research institutes, NGOs, and commercial bodies, and requires at least one multi-level explanation or LMIC-focused research component. This is a two-stage competitive process with preliminary and full applications.

## Who should apply

- Researchers investigating biological, psychological, or social mechanisms of anxiety and trauma-related disorders
- Research teams at HEIs, independent research institutes, healthcare organisations, NGOs, or commercial organisations
- Lead or co-applicants able to commit at least 20% research time to the project
- Projects with multi-level explanatory frameworks or a focus on low- and middle-income country contexts
- Researchers hosted in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or other eligible international organisations

## Key dates

- Two-stage application: preliminary application followed by full application for invited teams
- Up to five-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Include a clear multi-level research component (biological, psychological, and/or social mechanisms) or a strong LMIC justification; single-level proposals without these hooks score poorly.
- Ensure all named leads and co-applicants confirm ≥20% research time and understand funder restrictions (UK/Ireland-based leads cannot claim salary).
- Use the preliminary stage to test your framing: focus on mechanism and novelty, not just symptom reduction or service delivery.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Wellcome Mental Health Award provide?

Up to £4 million per project over five years.

### Is there a salary cost restriction for UK-based researchers?

Yes, lead and co-applicants based in the UK or Republic of Ireland cannot claim salary costs, though other eligible expenses apply.

### What research areas does the Mental Health Award cover?

The award funds research on biological, psychological, and social mechanisms underlying anxiety and trauma-related disorders; projects must address at least one priority area (multi-level explanation or low- and middle-income country focus).

### Who is eligible to apply for the Mental Health Award?

Researchers at HEIs, research institutes, healthcare organisations, NGOs, and commercial organisations are eligible; lead and co-applicants must commit at least 20% research time.

### Is this a single-stage or multi-stage application?

It is a two-stage process: first a preliminary application, then a full application for invited teams.

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