Wellcome Discovery Awards – September 2026 Round

The Wellcome Discovery Awards support established researchers and research teams pursuing ambitious ideas that could transform understanding of health and disease. The programme is intended for innovative research rather than incremental extensions of existing work.

The scheme supports research that addresses important unanswered questions and can involve different disciplines and approaches. Researchers from low- and middle-income countries are specifically included within Wellcome's broader research funding vision, making this an important opportunity for researchers working in eligible regions.

Applications should demonstrate a strong research question, appropriate methodology, a capable research team and a convincing explanation of how the proposed research could generate important new knowledge.

Eligibility:

Applicants must satisfy Wellcome's eligibility requirements and the specific requirements of the Discovery Awards scheme. Institutional and geographic eligibility should be checked carefully before application.

Benefits:

1. Major research funding.
2. Support for ambitious discovery research.
3. International collaboration opportunities.
4. Research team support.
5. Potential funding for research costs and related activities.

Duration:

Depends on the approved research programme.

Required Documents:

Research proposal, CVs, institutional information, research plan, budget and supporting documentation.

Application Process:

Applicants prepare a proposal through the Wellcome Funding platform and submit it by the stated deadline. Proposals undergo eligibility checks and competitive assessment.