Wellcome Discovery Awards 2026 in UK

This scheme provides funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. 

• Table of Content
• About Wellcome
• Discovery Awards
• Aim and Benefits of Discovery Awards
• Requirements for Discovery Awards Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Discovery Awards

Aim and Benefits of Discovery Awards

PhD scholarships

• Professional and staff development
• Fieldwork, travel, training, and sustenance
• Supplies, consumables, and machinery
• Costs of clinical and public involvement
• Access fees and overheads
• Foreign allowances and inflation

Requirements for Discovery Awards Qualification

You can apply for a Wellcome Discovery Award if you are a researcher who wants to pursue bold and creative research ideas. You must aim to make a major contribution to your research field by:

• generating significant shifts in understanding

and/or

• developing methodologies, conceptual frameworks, tools or techniques that could benefit health-related research.

An award can be held by an established researcher or a team of researchers led by an established researcher.

If you are applying as a team of researchers

Team size will depend on the proposed research. It will usually range from two to eight applicants, including the lead applicant. The primary location for the research, including the leadership of the programme, must be within the UK, Republic of Ireland and/or a low- and middle-income country.

If you are applying as an individual

You cannot involve coapplicants in your application and award, but you can still work with collaborators.

Whether applying as an individual established researcher who will employ staff through your grant, or as a team of researchers, we encourage lead applicants to put together diverse teams. You will be expected to actively promote a diverse, inclusive and supportive research environment within your team and across your organisation.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Wellcome Discovery Awards webpage