This Wellcome scheme funds doctoral programmes to deliver outstanding training in discovery research to registered healthcare professionals in the UK, in supportive and inclusive research environments.
Next deadline
Applications open: October 2025
Who can apply
The proposed programme must have one director, who is the lead applicant. It can also include co-directors. Directors and co-directors do not have to be based at the same institution as each other.
What you can do to prepare
- Familiarise yourself with the Discovery research remit.
- Consider whether to partner with other institutions to collaborate on an application.
- Consider whether to propose a disciplinary, subject, or professional focus for your proposed doctoral programme, for example a doctoral programme for nurses, or focused on a specific topic within Discovery research.
- Consider how to embed a positive research culture within your proposed programme.
- Consider how you will build appropriate support into your programme to support the career progression of your fellows. For example:
- pre-doctoral training in research skills
- post-doctoral support for career management alongside healthcare practice
- integration of cross-disciplinary and cross-sector opportunities
Application process timeline
You must submit your application by 15:00 GMT on the deadline day. We don’t accept late applications.
Opening soon
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October 2025 – Applications open
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TBC October 2025 -Information webinar
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10 February 2026 – Application deadline
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March 2026 – Shortlisting
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May 2026 – Interviews
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July 2026 – Decision
Visit funding web page
(https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/doctoral-programmes-healthcare-professionals)
