Wellcome Trust Discovery Awards 2026: Apply by 31 March

About the Wellcome Discovery Awards

The Wellcome Trust Discovery Awards support established researchers and research teams who aim to deliver bold, creative, and transformative research with the potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing.

This international grant program funds innovative, high-quality ideas that push boundaries in understanding, methods, and impact.

Official Call: https://wellcome.org/grant-funding/schemes/discovery-awards

Funder Deadline: 31 March 2026 (17:00 GMT)

UCT Intention-to-Submit

Deadline: 31 October 2025

Who Can Apply

Applications are open to established researchers and collaborative teams from any discipline, including:

• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

• Experimental Medicine

• Humanities & Social Science

• Clinical and Allied Health Sciences

• Public Health

Applicants must:

✅ Be established in their field.

✅ Lead or co-lead a substantial, collaborative research program.

✅ Commit at least 20% of their research time to the project.

Funding Details

• Funding Duration: Up to 8 years

• Funding Covers:

  • Research expenses

  • Salaries for project staff

  • Equipment and consumables

  • Travel, fieldwork, and collaboration costs

  • (See official page for allowable costs)

• Focus: High-risk, high-reward ideas that create lasting impact in health, policy, or science.

📅 Key Dates for the March 2026 Round

How to Apply

1️⃣ Visit the Wellcome Funding Portal: https://wellcome.org/grant-funding/schemes/discovery-awards

2️⃣ Review the call guidelines and eligibility requirements.

3️⃣ Prepare and submit your intention-to-submit form (if applying via a South African institution such as UCT).

4️⃣ Complete your online application via the Wellcome Funding Platform and ensure all institutional approvals (e.g., eRA system) are finalised before submission.

What the Wellcome Trust Is Looking For

The Discovery Awards support groundbreaking research that pushes beyond incremental progress. Your proposal should:

• Present a novel, creative idea that challenges existing paradigms.

• Aim to make a major contribution to understanding human health.

• Demonstrate methodological innovation or new frameworks.

• Build on a track record of excellence and collaboration.

Institutional Support (UCT Applicants)

Applicants affiliated with the University of Cape Town (UCT) must follow the institution’s eRA approval process before submission:

• Faculty of Health Sciences: 📧 fhs.researchfunding@uct.ac.za

• Other Faculties: 📧 internationalgrants@uct.ac.za

Your finance staff will be automatically notified when your intention-to-submit form is received.

Why Apply

✔️ Long-term support for ambitious, multi-year projects.

✔️ Open to interdisciplinary collaborations.

✔️ Global recognition from a leading biomedical research funder.

✔️ Encourages innovation that advances science and public health.