[Wellcome Foundation](https://wellcome.org)

April 7, 2026 (Scope check submission) | May 7, 2026 (Full application, 15:00 BST)

£1.5–£1.9 million per hub | 3–5 years | 5 awards expected

Funds five infrastructure hubs in LMICs to advance AI-powered evidence synthesis for health research and policy in key sectors.

Lead applicant must be based in a low- or middle-income country (excluding mainland China).

--- ## Description This Wellcome Foundation funding opportunity supports the establishment of five global evidence infrastructure hubs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), focused on advancing living, AI-enabled evidence synthesis in key sectors: food systems, humanitarian assistance, economic growth, peace and effective institutions, and social protection. The hubs will address urgent health research and policy challenges aligned with Wellcome’s strategic priorities—Climate and Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health, and Discovery Research—leveraging open science and responsible AI. Each hub must demonstrate innovative approaches, cross-sectoral standards, and inclusive stakeholder engagement, contributing to the Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative (ESIC) and aiming to transform the accessibility and impact of evidence synthesis for health decision-making in the Global South. --- ## Due Dates - **April 7, 2026**: Scope check submission deadline (brief summary of your idea, optional but recommended for eligibility clarification) - **May 7, 2026**: Full application deadline (application must be submitted via Wellcome Funding/organisational approver by 15:00 BST) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award size:** £1.5 million to £1.9 million per hub - **Duration:** 3–5 years - **Number of awards:** 5 hubs will be funded --- ## Eligibility - **Lead applicant:** Must be an established researcher based at an eligible organisation in an LMIC (excluding mainland China) with a permanent, open-ended, or long-term rolling contract (or guarantee of one for the award duration). - **Organisation:** Administering organisation must be in a low- or middle-income country (see [Wellcome’s LMIC list](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/low-and-middle-income-countries)); commercial organisations are not eligible as lead. - **Team composition:** 4–8 applicants (including lead); must include coapplicants based in each country where research is conducted; at least one applicant with significant health expertise and one with expertise in the chosen sector. - **Coapplicants:** Can be based anywhere (except mainland China); must be essential to project delivery. - **Collaborators:** May be included but are not counted towards the 8-applicant limit; cannot receive salary but can have expenses covered. - **Exclusions:** Cannot apply if funds will be transferred to mainland China, or if already an applicant on two proposals for this call. - **Research focus:** Must align with at least one Wellcome strategic health priority and one of the specified sectors. --- ## Application Process 1. **Scope check (optional):** Submit a brief summary (≤200 words) by April 7, 2026, if you wish to confirm your project is in scope ([email ESICSectoralHubs@wellcome.org](mailto:ESICSectoralHubs@wellcome.org)). 2. **Prepare application:** Complete the application via the [Wellcome Funding platform](https://funding.wellcome.org/). Review the [sample application form](https://cms.wellcome.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Wellcome%20application%20sample%20form.pdf) and [application tips](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/how-to-write-wellcome-grant-application). 3. **Internal review:** Submit your application to your organisation’s approver well in advance of the deadline for institutional review and approval. 4. **Final submission:** The organisational approver must submit the application to Wellcome by 15:00 BST, May 7, 2026. 5. **Review process:** Applications are checked for eligibility, then assessed by a diverse international committee. Shortlisted proposals proceed to committee review in June 2026; funding decisions are expected in July 2026. --- ## Additional Information - **Research requirements:** Proposals must build or expand a global evidence infrastructure hub in one of the five sectors, demonstrate AI-enabled approaches, and align with ESIC’s [Equity Companion](https://evidencesynthesis.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ESE/pages/414449665/Equity+companion) and [RAISE guidance](https://osf.io/fwaud/overview) for responsible AI. - **Costs covered:** Staff salaries, materials, equipment, travel, professional development, public engagement, overheads (up to 20% for eligible orgs), and other justified direct costs. - **Costs not covered:** Activities in mainland China, PhD stipends (fees for research staff only), office furniture, non-research activities, and certain core infrastructure. - **Open science:** Strong emphasis on open data, open source, and equitable data sharing (FAIR principles). - **Disability support:** Adjustment support available for disabled applicants or staff. - **Translation support:** Available for required documentation; contact Wellcome in advance if needed. --- ## External Links - [Wellcome Foundation – Funder homepage](https://wellcome.org) - [Funding scheme details and application portal](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/establishing-infrastructure-hubs-power-evidence-synthesis) - [Sample application form (PDF)](https://cms.wellcome.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Wellcome%20application%20sample%20form.pdf) - [Eligibility: LMIC list](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/low-and-middle-income-countries) - [Equity Companion (ESIC)](https://evidencesynthesis.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ESE/pages/414449665/Equity+companion) - [Responsible AI in Evidence Synthesis (RAISE guidance)](https://osf.io/fwaud/overview) - [Tips for writing a Wellcome grant application](https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/how-to-write-wellcome-grant-application) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General eligibility & queries | [fundingsupport@wellcome.org](mailto:fundingsupport@wellcome.org) or [Send a message](https://wellcome.org/about-us/contact-us/funding-enquiry) | | Scope check (by April 7) | [ESICSectoralHubs@wellcome.org](mailto:ESICSectoralHubs@wellcome.org) | | Phone | +44 (0)20 7611 8888 | | Wellcome Funding platform | [https://funding.wellcome.org/](https://funding.wellcome.org/) | ---

Establishing Infrastructure Hubs to Power Evidence Synthesis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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