Does your research team or technology organisation meet the applicant and programme conditions for major investigator-led research programmes in human life, health and wellbeing?
Wellcome offers a distinct funding stream for major investigator-led research programmes in human life, health and wellbeing. The eligible applicant and real project scope matter more than the donor’s headquarters or the presence of a broad regional label.
Funding snapshot
- Funding organisation: Wellcome
- Funding: Research-cost based; Wellcome reports an average grant size of about £3.5 million, not a per-project entitlement
- Deadline: Rolling — applications accepted throughout the year
- Who can apply: Established researchers or teams hosted by eligible not-for-profit universities, research institutes or healthcare organisations
- Geographical restrictions: From 29 October 2026, lead institutions must be in the UK or eligible low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia or Southeast Asia. Applications submitted on or before 28 October are assessed under preceding location rules.
Who is eligible and who is not?
Established researchers or teams hosted by eligible not-for-profit universities, research institutes or healthcare organisations
From 29 October 2026, lead institutions must be in the UK or eligible low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia or Southeast Asia. Applications submitted on or before 28 October are assessed under preceding location rules.
Important limitations: This is not general NGO service-delivery funding. A research proposal should aim for a major scientific or conceptual advance, and budgets above £5 million face extra scrutiny.
Project fit and potential value
An eligible African university may combine population health, interdisciplinary methods and open science to advance understanding of health inequalities; this is an example, not a donor-endorsed project.
This illustration describes a possible project direction, not an approved application. Applicants should verify that their own idea, host institution, delivery record and technical or research expertise genuinely meet all the relevant assessment criteria.
How to prepare your application
Build an ambitious research thesis and evidenced institutional support, develop a proportionate 3–8 year programme, clarify research governance and open-science plans, and submit through Wellcome Funding.
- Get formal institutional authority and confirm the eligible lead applicant before drafting.
- Write a measurable plan showing the problem, method, timeline, roles and realistic expected outputs.
- Clarify research ethics, safeguarding, data privacy, intellectual property, open licensing and community participation wherever they are relevant.
- Create a properly costed budget; distinguish a funder’s published averages or expense limits from guaranteed awards.
- Read all funder eligibility, current application-round and portal instructions immediately before filing.
Official programme and application
See the official Wellcome opportunity and application guidance. Third-party listing deadlines and summaries should not override current donor instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a normal general-purpose NGO grant? No. This is not general NGO service-delivery funding. A research proposal should aim for a major scientific or conceptual advance, and budgets above £5 million face extra scrutiny.
Can African organisations apply? From 29 October 2026, lead institutions must be in the UK or eligible low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia or Southeast Asia. Applications submitted on or before 28 October are assessed under preceding location rules.
How much can be requested? Research-cost based; Wellcome reports an average grant size of about £3.5 million, not a per-project entitlement
When is the deadline? Rolling — applications accepted throughout the year
How should an applicant prepare? Build an ambitious research thesis and evidenced institutional support, develop a proportionate 3–8 year programme, clarify research governance and open-science plans, and submit through Wellcome Funding.
Next steps
Before applying, examine whether your proposal genuinely fits the funder’s rules using the Africads Funding Readiness Toolkit. For proposal preparation see GrantsWriterAI, and check every output against donor requirements. Subscribe to Africads Grant News for more opportunities.
