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Wellcome Discovery Awards

Wellcome Discovery Awards

Funds established United Kingdom investigators in bold health research with long-term flexible scientific support.

OpenWellcome TrustUnited KingdomIreland

Wellcome Discovery Awards are the flagship large-grant mechanism of Wellcome, one of the world's largest health-research foundations. The scheme funds bold, creative research programmes led by established researchers or teams of up to eight applicants, with the aim of generating significant shifts in understanding or developing methodologies, tools, and frameworks that benefit health-related resea…

Bold and creative health-related research across any discipline — including life sciences, STEM, experimental medicine, humanities and social science, clinical and allied health sciences, and public health — conducted by established researchers or teams.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.22 Sept 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.36–96 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: wellcome.org