About

The Wellcome Discovery Awards, offered by Wellcome, provide major funding support for established researchers and teams aiming to pursue bold and creative research ideas that can significantly advance understanding related to human life, health, and wellbeing.

The focus areas of this opportunity include generating significant shifts in understanding and developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research. This scheme offers substantial financial support, with applicants encouraged to request the resources required for their proposed research programme. The average award size is £3.5 million, and while applications above £5 million are accepted, they undergo additional scrutiny. The funding duration can be up to eight years, with an average award length of seven years, although shorter or part-time arrangements may apply depending on the discipline.

Researchers applying for this opportunity may do so either as individuals or as part of a team. Teams typically include two to eight applicants, led by an established researcher, and the primary location of the research must be within the UK, the Republic of Ireland, or a low- and middle-income country. Individual applicants may not include coapplicants but can collaborate with other partners as needed for their research.

Eligibility

All applicants, whether applying individually or as a team, are expected to demonstrate a commitment to creating and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and supportive research environment. The scheme strongly encourages the formation of diverse research teams and environments that promote equity and collaboration.

Post Date: December 12, 2025