Wellcome Discovery Awards

Wellcome Discovery Awards support established researchers and teams pursuing bold, creative research with the potential to generate significant shifts in understanding or develop new methodologies that benefit health-related research. Awards can be held as an individual or by a team of up to eight researchers. The primary location for research and leadership must be in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or an eligible low- and middle-income country. The average award size is £3.5 million over an average of seven years (up to eight). Applications above £5 million receive additional scrutiny. Coapplicants can be based anywhere in the world except mainland China. The scheme runs twice a year — the 2026 deadlines are March and September. Applications are assessed across three criteria: research proposal (50%), skills and experience (25%), and research environment (25%), with shortlisted candidates invited to interview in London.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.