Wellcome
Discovery Awards
Upcoming deadline in September 2026
Last verified:
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.
Details
| Funder | Wellcome |
| Budget | Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny |
| Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
| 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 |
| Frequency | Twice a year |
| Next round | 2026-09 |
| Eligible countries | GBIE |
Recently updated
catalog cleanup 2026-07-04: budget copied from duplicate sibling
Eligibility & scope
For established researchers or teams pursuing bold, creative research to advance understanding or develop methodologies benefiting health-related research. Lead applicant must be based at a not-for-profit organisation in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or a low/middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China). Permanent/open-ended contract required. Coapplicants may be based anywhere except mainland China.
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.
Related on Grantsby
- Wellcome writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
- Wellcome Discovery Award, full programme guide
Eligibility, budget, success rates, application timeline, FAQ.
- Wellcome Discovery Award past winners & funded projects
Recent recipients, host institutions, and funded project titles. See who tends to win before you apply.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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