Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards – February 2027 Round
15:00 GMT
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The Wellcome Discovery Award funds ambitious research projects across any discipline, STEM, humanities, social science, and public health, with grants averaging £3.5 million over up to eight years. Established researchers and teams based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China) can apply. The call prioritises work with potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing, and runs annually.
Details
| Funder | Wellcome |
| Budget | Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny |
| Deadline | 23 February 2027 |
| Duration | Up to 8 years (average 7 years) |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | Single stage (shortlisting → expert review → interview → funding decision) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Next round | 2027-02 |
Eligibility & scope
Open to established researchers or teams led by an established researcher based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China). Research must fit within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and have potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing across any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health.
Who Should Apply
- •Established researchers with a strong track record of independent research
- •Teams or individuals based at eligible UK, Irish, or low- and middle-income country institutions
- •Research addressing human health, wellbeing, or life improvement across any discipline
- •Applicants proposing projects with genuine scope for discovery and impact
- •Researchers planning to spend at least 25% time on the project
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 23 February 2027 at 15:00 GMT
- •Single-stage process: shortlisting, expert review, interview, then funding decision
- •Project duration: up to 8 years (average 7 years)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Budget proposals above £5 million trigger additional scrutiny; clearly justify resource requests and ensure your project plan is genuinely ambitious but realistic.
- ✓Wellcome prioritises cross-disciplinary relevance to human welfare; make the connection to health, life improvement, or wellbeing explicit, even for fundamental research.
- ✓The interview is mandatory for shortlisted candidates; prepare to defend feasibility and impact with a panel that may include non-specialists in your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I request in a Wellcome Discovery Award?
Applications average £3.5 million; grants above £5 million are subject to additional scrutiny. The budget should match the scope and ambition of your project.
Who is eligible for a Wellcome Discovery Award?
Established researchers and teams based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China).
How long can a Wellcome Discovery Award last?
Projects run for up to 8 years, with an average duration of 7 years.
What kind of research does Wellcome fund with Discovery Awards?
Any discipline, STEM, humanities, social science, and public health, provided the work fits Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and has potential to improve human life, health, or wellbeing.
Is the Wellcome Discovery Award recurring?
Yes, the call runs annually, with the next round expected in February 2028.
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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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