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Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature

Wellcome Funding

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature champions new interventions that can transform the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression and psychosis. One winning team will receive US$1  million, with three finalists awarded US$250,000 each to accelerate adoption.

Our goals

To accelerate the development, adoption and policy prioritisation of effective interventions for anxiety, depression and psychosis.
To generate enthusiasm for mental health science among policymakers, funders and the public, thereby encouraging greater investment in research.

Why apply?

One overall Prize winner will receive US$1 million. Three runners-up will be awarded US$250,000 each.
Beyond financial backing, the prize will provide visibility, connections and practical support to help winning interventions progress towards adoption and policy integration.

Key dates

Applications open

14 May 2026

Applications close

18 September 2026

Shortlist announced

April 2027

Finalists announced

May 2027

Winner announced

June 2027

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Bold, transformative research with potential for major advances (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the defining feature of Wellcome funding.

Competitive proposals should:

Address important questions in health and wellbeing
Deliver significant shifts in understanding
Challenge existing paradigms
Create new concepts or methodologies
Transform the field rather than make incremental advances

Wellcome explicitly prioritizes bold and creative discovery research.

2. Outstanding research proposal (50% of assessment) (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

For Discovery Awards, the research proposal carries the greatest weight.

Competitive proposals demonstrate:

Scientific excellence
Strong rationale
Clear objectives
Innovative approach
Robust study design
Feasible outcomes
High-quality evidence supporting the proposal

The proposal is assessed on whether it is bold, creative, and high quality.

3. Innovation and creativity (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Wellcome strongly favors research that:

Tests new concepts
Develops novel methodologies
Combines disciplines in innovative ways
Creates new technologies or tools
Opens entirely new research directions

Incremental research is generally less competitive than projects with transformative potential.

4. Potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful proposals should demonstrate the potential to:

Improve understanding of biology
Advance human health
Improve disease prevention or treatment
Address health inequalities
Generate knowledge that benefits society

Research may be basic, clinical, population-based, or interdisciplinary, provided it has relevance to health and wellbeing.

5. Skills, experience, and leadership of the applicant (25% of assessment) (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers evaluate:

Scientific achievements
Research outputs
Leadership potential
Ability to lead research teams
Contributions to the research community
Mentorship and researcher development

For Discovery Awards, skills and experience account for 25% of the assessment.

6. Positive and inclusive research environment (25% of assessment) (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

A distinctive feature of Wellcome funding is its strong emphasis on research culture.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Inclusive leadership
Positive research culture
Support for team development
Mentorship
Diversity and inclusion
Institutional support

Research environment contributes 25% of the final assessment for major schemes.

7. Multidisciplinary and collaborative research (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Wellcome welcomes projects that integrate:

Biomedical sciences
Clinical research
Engineering
Data science
Artificial intelligence
Humanities
Social sciences
Population health

Interdisciplinary collaborations that address complex health questions are particularly encouraged.

8. Alignment with Wellcome's funding remit (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals should clearly fit the scope of the chosen funding scheme.

Wellcome supports research across:

Fundamental biology
Human health and disease
Experimental medicine
Public health
Mental health
Climate and health
Infectious disease
Social sciences
Humanities

Projects outside the remit of the selected programme are unlikely to be funded.

9. Feasibility and long-term vision (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals include:

Realistic milestones
Appropriate timelines
Strong project management
Risk mitigation
Long-term scientific vision

Wellcome supports ambitious projects but expects applicants to demonstrate a credible strategy for delivering them.

10. Strong application quality and interview performance (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Many Wellcome funding schemes include interviews.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Clear scientific communication
Convincing responses to reviewers
Strong leadership vision
Confidence in discussing methodology
Ability to explain broader scientific impact

Interview performance can significantly influence the final funding decision.

Specialties

Mental Health

Eligibility Requirements

The Prize is open to research teams developing new, effective interventions for anxiety, depression or psychosis.
Eligible teams may be based at universities, research institutes, hospitals, government or not-for-profit organisations, or small and medium sized enterprises.
We welcome applications from around the world.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Wellcome Funding

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE

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