Wellcome Discovery Research Scholarship 2026 in UK | Fully Funded

The Wellcome Discovery Awards 2026 provide outstanding research funding opportunities to researchers across the globe, who wish to undertake bold, creative and innovative research that have the potential of changing human health. These awards are run by Wellcome, one of the largest charitable foundations in the world, and are aimed at established researchers or groups working on high impact scientific, social science, or humanities projects that involve health and well-being.

The Wellcome Discovery Awards, unlike the traditional scholarships of Master’s or PhD students, offer large, long-term funding to research programmes, which can take up to 8 years. The initiative provides top researchers with the liberty, adaptability and the resources to pursue innovative concepts that could result in major discoveries in health across the globe.

Key Highlights

Detailed Description

Wellcome Discovery Awards 2026 are some of the flagship funding schemes by Wellcome which aims at funding researchers to make significant breakthroughs in human health. Such awards stimulate high risk and high-reward projects with ambitious goals that would not necessarily be in conventional funding structures.

The applicants may submit their applications either as individuals or co-applicants in a team. The possible fields of research can include even the biomedicine, public health, clinical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This general strategy has seen to it that health issues are addressed in a multifaceted front.

The average duration of each award is up to 8 years and the complete scope of research costs are funded.

Benefits

• Full Research Funding: This includes salaries (to applicants and the research staff), research costs, and programme costs.
• Duration: Up to 8 years of long term support that provides stability to the researchers.
• Multidisciplinary Scope: Free of a narrow, science-based perspective on the world, it can extend to social sciences and humanities.
• Flexible Approach: License to pursue highly impactful concepts that are not limited by theme.
• Career Support: Fosters leadership, teamwork and professional growth opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible in the Wellcome Discovery Awards 2026, it is required that the applicants:

• Be a well known researcher with a good history of making important contributions in his or her field.
• Be located in an eligible administering organisation, which may be: Universities or higher-education institutions, Independent research institutes, Non-profit organisations, Healthcare organisation & Charities or social enterprises
• Reside in the UK, Republic of Ireland or Low and Middle Income Countries (except India and mainland China).
• Commit at least 20% of their research time to the funded programme.
• Show how their research has a potential to contribute to knowledge or enhance human health in the world.

Required Documents

• Completed online application via Wellcome’s portal
• CV of the lead applicant and co-applicants
• Research proposal (detailed project plan)
• Budget plan (with justification for funding)
• Institutional letter of support
• Evidence of career track record (publications, grants, impact record)

Application Process

1. Check Eligibility: Check the eligibility of your institution and the stage of your career.
2. Write Research Proposal: Compose an elaborate proposal that will show innovation, impact, and viability.
3. Secure Host Institution Approval: Get official approval of your university or research centre.
4. Apply Online: Applications must be made through the Wellcome Funding Portal prior to the deadline.
5. Review & Interview: Shortlisted candidates can be asked to do an interview or review panel presentation.
6. Funding Decision: Successful applicants get long term research funding.

Deadline

25 November 2025, 15:00 GMT

How to Apply

You can apply directly through the official Wellcome funding portal.

Apply Now

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