The Wellcome Discovery Awards fund transformative, multidisciplinary research advancing understanding, tools, or methods that benefit health-related research and human wellbeing.
Funder: Wellcome Foundation
Due Dates: November 25, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | September 22, 2026 | February 23, 2027
Funding Amounts: Average award: £3.5 million; typical range up to £5 million (subject to additional scrutiny above this); duration up to 8 years.
Summary: Supports established researchers or teams pursuing bold, creative research that advances understanding or tools benefiting health-related research.
Key Information: Lead applicant must be based in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or an eligible low-/middle-income country (excludes India and mainland China).
This opportunity provides substantial, long-term funding for established researchers or teams aiming to deliver ambitious, creative, and high-quality research with the potential to drive significant advances in understanding, methodologies, frameworks, tools, or techniques that benefit health-related research. The program is open to a wide range of disciplines—including STEM, humanities, social sciences, clinical sciences, and public health—provided the work has a clear link to improving human life, health, or wellbeing. The scheme encourages multidisciplinary approaches, diversity, and inclusive research environments.