IIUM Research | Research Funding Opening: SIX Wellcome Fund Schemes

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السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

YBhg. Tan Sri / Dato' / Prof. / Assoc. Prof. / Dr. / Sir / Madam / Br. / Sr. ,

RMC is pleased to share the grant available for application. This grant emphasizes on Discovery Research, Climate and Health, Infectious Disease, and Mental Health. Wellcome has the ultimate mission of improving health through research. They want a healthier future for everyone and they support science to solve urgent health challenges facing everyone. They aim to enable transformative shifts in understanding life, health and wellbeing, and equitable health solutions that work for people who need and want them.

The grants that are open:

1) Wellcome Early-Career Awards (Closing date for RMC: Tues, 14 July 2026, 5.oo pm*/ Closing date for Wellcome: Tues, 21 July 2026, 11.oo pm*):

*All deadlines have been set to be ahead of the ones stated on their website to give ample time for RMC as the Administering Organisation to review the application before submitting to the Wellcome Fund. You might need to amend the proposal according to the comments should your application be returned.

This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme.

Eligible Applicant Level: Early career researcher (have recently completed PhD or an equivalent higher research degree, or have equivalent research training).
Funding cap: up to GBP 400,000 for research expenses.
Project duration: up to 5 years.
Scope: Discovery Research, Climate and Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health

2) Mental Health Award: Using physical activity and circadian-based interventions to reduce anxiety and depression in young people (Closing date for RMC: Tues, 7 July 2026, 5.oo pm*/ Closing date for Wellcome: Tues, 14 July 2026, 11.oo pm*):

Apply for their Mental Health Award focusing on using physical activity and circadian-based interventions.

Eligible Applicant Level: Established researchers (must have a track record of managing and training others).
Funding cap: GBP 1,000,000 - 4,000,000 per grant
Requirement: Must have a co-applicant(s).
Project duration: 3 - 4 years
Scope: Mental health
INFORMATION WEBINAR (28 April 2026 | 6 PM (GMT +8; MY time): Please register by clicking here

3) Wellcome Career Development Awards (Closing date for RMC: Tues, 21 July 2026, 5.oo pm*/Closing date for Wellcome: Tues, 28 July 2026, 11.00 pm*):

This scheme provides funding for mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.

Eligible Applicant Level: Mid-career researcher (in the early stages of your independent research career. You will usually have completed one or two substantial periods of research after your PhD (or equivalent research training).
Funding cap: less than GBP 250,000. More than GBP 250,000 will face additional scrutiny.
Project duration: up to 8 years or longer if part-time basis.
Requirement: No co-applicants.
Scope: Discovery Research, Climate and Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health

4) Establishing infrastructure hubs to power evidence synthesis in low- and middle-income countries (Closing date for RMC: Mon, 4 May 2026, 5.oo pm* / Closing date for Wellcome: Thur, 7 May 2026):

This scheme provides funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.

Eligible Applicant Level: Established researchers (must have a track record of managing and training others).
Funding cap: Average amount is GBP 1.5 to 1.9 million. Applications above GBP 5 million will face additional scrutiny.
Project duration: 3 - 5 years.
Requirement: MUST have co-applicants.
Scope: Discovery Research, Climate & Health, Data for Science and Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health
INFORMATION WEBINAR: Please go to their Youtube channel by clicking here

5) Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award (Closing date for RMC: Wed, 13 May 2026, 5.oo pm* / Closing date for Wellcome: Tues, 19 May 2026):

This funding call seeks to support the formation of transdisciplinary teams led from Africa, South Asia or South-East Asia to develop an innovative idea for a future proposal for a late-stage clinical trial that optimises current infectious disease interventions to drive impact in low- and middle-income countries.

Eligible Applicant Level: Mid-career researcher & Established researchers
Funding cap: Up to GBP 200,000.00 for each award
Project duration: Up to 24 months.
Requirement: Co-applicants required.
Scope: Infectious disease
INFORMATION WEBINAR: Please go to their Youtube channel by clicking here

6) Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award: Optimising interventions for impact (Closing date for RMC: Tues, 26 May 2026, 5.oo pm* / Closing date for Wellcome: Tues, 2 June 2026):

This funding call will support transdisciplinary teams led from Africa, South Asia or South-East Asia to conduct clinical trials that optimise licensed pharmaceutical interventions for infectious diseases. The clinical trial should generate evidence to inform changes to policy, practice and guidelines, and lead to measurable impact in the communities most affected by infectious diseases.

Eligible Applicant Level: Mid-career researcher & Established researchers
Funding cap: Between GBP 1,000,000.00 - 8,000,000.00 for each award
Project duration: 3 - 5 years.
Requirement: Co-applicants required.
Scope: Infectious disease
INFORMATION WEBINAR: Please go to their Youtube channel by clicking here

Application Process: All applications must be submitted directly through the Wellcome Trust's online grants system, following their specific guidelines for each grant type. You can watch a video on how to set up an account with Wellcome by clicking here.

Please feel free to visit their website by clicking here and begin your application! NOTE: Each grant has their own specific requirements, please read the guidelines carefully. https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes.

Should you have any initial queries regarding institutional procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the Wellcome via their website.

Once an application has been submitted to the grant organiser, kindly record your research application here: https://centre.iium.edu.my/rmc/

Don't miss this chance to propel your research forward with support from a world-leading foundation.

Research Management Centre