Wellcome Discovery Awards Scholarship 2026 Partial Funding For PhD International Students in UK

Applications are now open for the Wellcome Discovery Awards Scholarship 2026 Partial Funding For PhD International Students in the UK

The Wellcome Discovery Awards $\text{2026}$ represent one of the most prestigious research funding opportunities for established researchers and research teams across disciplines. Offered by the Wellcome Trust, these awards are designed to support bold, creative, and transformative research that delivers significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health, and wellbeing. With funding amounts averaging $\text{£3.5}$ million and durations of up to eight years, the program empowers global researchers to lead long-term projects that push the boundaries of science, medicine, humanities, and technology.

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The Wellcome Discovery Awards aim to drive innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration by providing the freedom and resources needed to pursue ambitious ideas. Open to researchers based in the $\text{UK}$, Republic of Ireland, and low- and middle-income countries ($\text{LMICs}$) (except India and mainland China), this program supports projects that can transform the way we understand and improve global health. For those who do not qualify but still seek funding, explore International Student Loans as a last resort.

Given the scale and ambition of these grants, applicants must be established researchers. Reviewing resources on Study Abroad Consulting might help non-academic applicants structure their research career history effectively. Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and a positive research culture.

Program Summary

• Host Institution: Wellcome Trust
• Location: United Kingdom ($\text{UK}$), Republic of Ireland, and Low- and Middle-Income Countries ($\text{LMICs}$) (excluding India and mainland China).
• Category: $\text{PhD}$ Research Funding | Post-Doctoral/Established Researcher Grants
• Eligible Countries: $\text{UK}$, Republic of Ireland, and $\text{LMICs}$ (except India and mainland China).
• Reward: Partial/Full Funding (Substantial research expenses, averaging $\text{£3.5}$ million)
• Duration: Typically up to $\text{8}$ years
• Application Deadline: $\text{25}$ November $\text{2025}$ ($\text{15}:00\text{ GMT}$)

 

 

Available Subjects and Degree Level

• Degree Level: This is a research funding award for established researchers, equivalent to a post-$\text{PhD}$ or senior research position.
• Subjects: This award supports researchers in any discipline, including:
  • $\text{STEM}$ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
  • Clinical and Allied Health Sciences
  • Public Health and Epidemiology
  • Experimental Medicine
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
• Focus: Projects can be single-discipline or multidisciplinary but must align with Wellcome’s mission to improve human health and wellbeing.

Scholarship Benefits (Research Funding)

The award provides comprehensive funding for research expenses, typically averaging $\text{£3.5}$ million and lasting up to $\text{8}$ years (duration may be less for humanities and social sciences).

• Personnel: Covers salaries for research staff, but excludes the salary costs for the lead applicant (Principal Investigator).
• Research Costs: Includes materials, consumables, animals, equipment, access charges, clinical research costs, and fieldwork expenses.
• Overheads: Covers institutional overheads.
• Development: Includes continuing professional development and training, public engagement, and patient involvement costs.
• Travel: Covers travel and subsistence, and overseas allowance. For managing logistics, applicants may find Travel Booking Services useful for planning fieldwork.

Eligibility Criteria

The award targets researchers who have already established a significant track record of high-quality research.

• Researcher Status: Must be established researchers with a proven record of research excellence.
• Project Scope: Must propose a bold and high-impact project that significantly advances understanding in health or wellbeing.
• Host Institution: Must be based at an eligible administering organization (non-for-profit institution) in the $\text{UK}$, Republic of Ireland, or a low- or middle-income country (excluding India and mainland China).
• Research Culture: Must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and a positive research culture.
• Exclusions: Researchers applying as lead applicants on two active Discovery Award submissions are not eligible, nor are projects involving the transfer of grant funds to mainland China.

Application Procedure

The application is submitted via the Wellcome Funding Platform and involves a multi-stage review process culminating in an interview.

Key Application Steps

1. Prepare Proposal: Ensure your research fits within Wellcome’s Discovery Research framework and is suitably bold and ambitious.
2. Create an Account: Register on the Wellcome Funding Platform through the link provided below.
3. Submit Application: Complete and submit your proposal before the deadline with necessary organizational approval.
4. Review and Shortlisting: Applications undergo expert peer review.
5. Interview Stage: Shortlisted applicants present their proposals to the Discovery Award Interview Panel (may be remote or in London).
6. Final Decision: The Discovery Research Decision Board makes the funding decision.

Key Dates for the $\text{2026}$ Round

• Applications Open: $\text{6}$ August $\text{2025}$
• Deadline for Submissions: $\text{25}$ November $\text{2025}$ ($\text{15}:00\text{ GMT}$)
• Shortlisting: February $\text{2026}$
• Interviews: $\text{19}–\text{21}$ May $\text{2026}$

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

For more information click HERE

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the Wellcome Discovery Award?

The award is open to established researchers with a proven record of research excellence, based in the $\text{UK}$, Republic of Ireland, or eligible low- and middle-income countries.

2. How much funding can applicants request on Research Grant UK?

The award level should be appropriate for the research, with the average award amount being around $\text{£3.5}$ million.

3. Can I apply as part of a team?

Yes, the award is designed to support both established individual researchers and research teams.

4. What disciplines does the Wellcome Trust Funding support?

The award supports researchers in any discipline ($\text{STEM}$, Clinical, Humanities, Social Sciences, etc.) that aligns with Wellcome’s mission to improve human health and wellbeing.

5. What is the deadline for the next round of the Fully Funded Research?

The deadline for the upcoming round is $\text{25}$ November $\text{2025}$ ($\text{15}:00\text{ GMT}$).

6. What is the typical duration of a Discovery Award?

The award usually lasts for up to $\text{8}$ years, though the duration may be shorter for some disciplines like humanities and social science.

7. Does the award cover the lead applicant’s salary?

No, the award does not include salary costs for the lead applicant (Principal Investigator).

8. Are Global Health researchers from India and mainland China eligible?

No, the award is not open to researchers based in India and mainland China.

9. Where must the host institution be located?

The administering organization must be a non-for-profit institution based in the $\text{UK}$, Republic of Ireland, or eligible $\text{LMICs}$.

10. What is the application portal for this award?

Applicants must apply by registering and submitting their proposal on the Wellcome Funding Platform.