# Research Development Award

**Funder:** Wellcome
**Budget:** Up to £1 million
**Duration:** 3-5 years
**Consortium:** Required — lead applicant plus at least one and up to six other applicants, who can be at the same or different host organisations
**Official call:** https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/research-development-awards-humanities-social-science-and-bioethics
**Last updated:** 7 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For emerging or established research groups in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics; lead applicant plus 1-6 co-applicants, each needing a permanent/long-term contract or guarantee thereof. Organisations may be based anywhere except mainland China; transfer of funds into mainland China is not permitted.

## Summary

The Wellcome Research Development Award funds emerging or established research groups working in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics with up to £1 million over 3-5 years. Applications must be led by a team of a lead applicant plus one to six co-applicants, each holding or guaranteed a permanent or long-term contract, based at organisations anywhere except mainland China.

## Who should apply

- Research group leads with a permanent or long-term contract, or a guarantee thereof
- Teams of one lead applicant plus 1-6 co-applicants, same or different institutions
- Groups working in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics
- Organisations based anywhere except mainland China
- Emerging or established groups building a multi-year collaborative programme

## Key dates

- Project duration of 3-5 years
- Consortium application required: lead applicant plus 1-6 co-applicants before submission

## Tips for applicants

- Confirm every co-applicant's contract status early, each of the 1-6 co-applicants needs a permanent or long-term contract or a formal guarantee, and gaps here will stall an otherwise strong application.
- Since co-applicants can span multiple host organisations, clarify data and funds-management arrangements across institutions before submitting.
- Remember funds cannot be transferred into mainland China, so plan any collaborators or activities there outside the funded budget.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Wellcome Research Development Award pay?

Up to £1 million for a project lasting 3-5 years.

### Who can apply for the Wellcome Research Development Award?

A lead applicant together with one to six co-applicants, each holding or guaranteed a permanent or long-term contract, working in health-related humanities, social sciences or bioethics.

### Can co-applicants be at different institutions?

Yes, co-applicants can be based at the same host organisation as the lead applicant or at different ones.

### Is the Wellcome Research Development Award open to applicants in China?

Organisations may be based anywhere except mainland China, and transfer of funds into mainland China is not permitted.

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

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