Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants are research-funding schemes from the Wellcome Trust, a charitable foundation based in London that supports science to solve health challenges. Wellcome was established in 1936 from the estate of Henry Wellcome and is one of the largest charitable funders of health research in the world. Rather than a single scholarship, this is a family of schemes — early-career awards, career-development awards, and discovery awards, plus team and translational grants — open to researchers internationally at different career stages. Funding varies widely by scheme: salary support and research expenses can range from tens of thousands to several million ~£ over 3 to 8 years, depending on the award. Most schemes fund biomedical science, public health, and the humanities and social sciences as they relate to health. Because each scheme has its own eligibility, value, and call deadline, there is no single date or amount for the programme as a whole. Treat any figures here as estimates and confirm the current scheme details, eligibility, and deadlines on Wellcome's official funding pages.
Identify the right Wellcome scheme for your stage and project, then apply to that scheme's call with an eligible host organisation.
This is a funder of research, not a single degree scholarship. Choose the scheme matching your stage and project; each has its own call windows, value, and rules.
Varies by scheme — many are internationally open via an eligible host organisation
Wellcome assesses applications by expert peer review against the scheme's criteria — the importance of the research question, the strength and feasibility of the approach, and the applicant's track record and potential — with interviews for many schemes. Each scheme runs its own process and timetable.
The Wellcome Trust is an independent charitable foundation based in London, established in 1936 from the estate of Sir Henry Wellcome. It is one of the largest charitable funders of health research in the world, supporting science to solve urgent health challenges through a family of fellowships and grants.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A family of research-funding schemes from the Wellcome Trust supporting health-related science — including early-career, career-development, and discovery awards plus team and translational grants — rather than a single scholarship.
No — Wellcome mainly funds research (salary plus research costs) for researchers, not tuition for a taught degree, though some awards support doctoral and postdoctoral work.
It varies widely by scheme — from around ~£50,000 to several million pounds over the life of an award. Check the specific scheme for its value.
Typically 3 to 8 years depending on the scheme and career stage.
Researchers at the stage targeted by each scheme, usually based at (or moving to) an eligible host organisation. Many schemes are open internationally.
Biomedical science, public and population health, clinical research, and health-related humanities and social sciences.
Yes — most schemes require an eligible host organisation (a university or research institute) to administer the award.
No — each scheme has its own call windows and deadlines, so there is no single date for the programme. Check the scheme you are applying to.
Yes — several schemes specifically support researchers and host organisations in low- and middle-income countries; check each scheme's rules.
By expert peer review of the research question, approach, feasibility, and the applicant's track record, with interviews for many schemes.
Wellcome is an independent charitable foundation, established in 1936 from the estate of Sir Henry Wellcome, funded from its own endowment.
On Wellcome's official grant-funding pages, which list every current scheme with its eligibility, value, and deadline.