Wellcome Discovery Awards

Funding for established researchers, as individuals or teams, pursuing bold and creative research programmes of up to eight years; the average award is £3.5 million and applications above £5 million receive additional scrutiny. The current round closes on 22 September 2026, after which the scheme becomes always open without deadlines. The primary research location must be within the UK, Republic of Ireland and/or a low- and middle-income country.

Amount: Amount not published
Eligible countries: Multiple countries — check eligibility
Who can apply: Research institution

Health & Care Delivery

Read the call on funder site

Eligibility rules

Lead applicant must have international standing as a research leader, experience of leading innovative research, and a track record of managing and training others
Funder's wording
“Whether you are applying as the sole applicant or the lead applicant for a team, you must have: international standing as a research leader in your field; experience of leading innovative and creative research; a track record of managing and training others.”
At the point of application the lead applicant should hold a permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract, or the guarantee of one, not conditional on the award
Funder's wording
“At the point of application, you should have a permanent, open-ended or long-term rolling contract, or the guarantee of one. The contract should not be conditional on receiving this award.”
The primary research location, including programme leadership, must be within the UK, Republic of Ireland and/or a low- and middle-income country
Funder's wording
“The primary location for the research, including the leadership of the programme, must be within the UK, Republic of Ireland and/or a low- and middle-income country.”
The activities involve transferring grant funds into mainland ChinaExclusion — must not apply to you
Funder's wording
“You cannot apply if you intend to carry out activities that involve the transfer of grant funds into mainland China.”
Applications for the current round must be submitted by 15:00 GMT/BST on 22 September 2026
Funder's wording
“The current round will close as advertised on 22 September 2026. When the scheme reopens for applications on 23 September 2026, the scheme will be always open, without deadlines.”
From 29 October 2026, lead applicants must be based at eligible administering organisations in the UK or low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia
Funder's wording
“From 29 October 2026, we will only accept applications from lead applicants based at eligible administering organisations in the UK and low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia. Any applications submitted to Wellcome on or before 28 October 2026 will be assessed under the current location eligibility requirements.”

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