Wellcome
Bioimaging Technology Development Awards
One-off call; no specific deadline stated in this segment
Last verified:
The Wellcome Bioimaging Technology Development Awards fund novel cell-tissue scale imaging technology development through a two-phase model: a foundation phase (up to £500k, 1.5 years) followed by an invited scale-up phase (up to 6.5 additional years, resources as needed). Applicants must assemble a 3-5 person consortium led by a researcher at a UK, Irish, or low/middle-income country institution, with the lead committing ≥20% research time on a permanent contract. This is a one-off call aimed at building interdisciplinary teams that translate early-stage imaging concepts into real-world tools.
Details
| Funder | Wellcome |
| Budget | Foundation phase: up to £500k; Scale-up phase: resources as needed |
| Duration | Up to 8 years (foundation phase: 1.5 years; scale-up phase: up to 6.5 additional years) |
| Consortium | Required — 3–5 applicants (lead + coapplicants) at application; up to 8 for scale-up phase |
| Application | 2-stage: foundation phase application → scale-up phase application (invited, 12 months into foundation phase) |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GBIE |
Eligibility & scope
Lead applicant must be based at a not-for-profit organisation in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excl. India and mainland China). Teams of 3–5 applicants required; coapplicants can be worldwide except mainland China. Supports novel bioimaging technology development at cell-tissue scale. Lead must contribute ≥20% research time and hold a permanent/open-ended contract. UK/Ireland leads cannot claim salary.
Who Should Apply
- •Lead applicants on a permanent or open-ended contract at a UK, Irish, or eligible low/middle-income country not-for-profit institution
- •Researchers able to commit ≥20% of their time to the project over its duration
- •Interdisciplinary teams of 3-5 investigators (lead + coapplicants) with complementary expertise in imaging, engineering, biology, and/or clinical translation
- •Applicants with a novel, cell-tissue scale bioimaging technology ready to move from concept toward practical implementation
- •Teams including coapplicants from worldwide institutions (except mainland China)
Key Dates
- •One-off call; no specific deadline stated
- •Two-stage evaluation: foundation phase application → scale-up phase application (invited at 12 months into foundation phase)
- •Up to 8 years total (foundation phase 1.5 years; scale-up phase up to 6.5 additional years)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Assemble your consortium before writing, Wellcome weights team composition and fit heavily; a weak coapplicant damages the bid.
- ✓The foundation phase is a proof-of-concept stage; focus on demonstrating technical feasibility and user validation, not scale. Save scaling plans for the scale-up phase application.
- ✓Lead applicants at UK/Ireland institutions cannot claim personal salary; budget the £500k foundation award for equipment, postdoctoral support, and coapplicant contributions instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget for the Wellcome Bioimaging Technology Development Awards?
Foundation phase awards up to £500,000 over 1.5 years; scale-up phase funding is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not capped.
Who can be the lead applicant?
A researcher on a permanent or open-ended contract at a not-for-profit organisation in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or an eligible low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China).
Is this a recurring call?
No, this is a one-off call with no specific deadline stated; researchers should monitor the Wellcome website for call opening and closing dates.
Must the team be assembled at application?
Yes, the lead applicant must propose a consortium of 3-5 investigators at the time of the foundation phase application; coapplicants can be based anywhere except mainland China.
What happens after the foundation phase?
Successful foundation phase teams are automatically invited to submit a scale-up phase application at 12 months into the foundation phase; scale-up can extend the project to up to 8 years total.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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