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)
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Wellcome Trust Discovery Awards 2026: Apply by 31 March
Oct 16, 2025
May 15, 2026
5 min read
Published
Updated:
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
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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.
The award seeks projects that generate significant shifts in understanding or develop new tools, frameworks, and methodologies that benefit health-related research.
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.
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📅 Key Dates for the March 2026 Round
Milestone | Deadline | Details |
Intention-to-Submit (UCT internal) | 31 October 2025 | To receive institutional approval and budgeting support. |
Draft Budget Submission (Budget Reviewer) | 3 March 2026 | Submit via UCT’s eRA system. |
Finance Approval on eRA | 17 March 2026 | Budget approved by faculty finance office. |
RC&I Approval (Final Institutional Sign-off) | 24 March 2026 | Must reach Research Contracts & Innovation (RC&I). |
Final Submission (Funder Portal) | 31 March 2026, 17:00 GMT | Application submitted via Wellcome Funding Platform. |
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:
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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.
“We fund research that has the potential to transform how we understand life, health and wellbeing, across disciplines.” Wellcome Trust
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.
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