Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) when applying for Wellcome grant funding
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools offer potential benefits for research but also present challenges and risks. Wellcome is a signatory to the Funders joint statement on the use of generative AI tools and has developed this policy to provide additional guidance when applying to Wellcome for funding.
While the field adapts to the use of AI, Wellcome requires this to be declared when applying for grant funding except where it is used to help with language.
Definitions
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence which can be used to create new content (for example, text, code, images, videos or music referred to as output). AI uses machine learning algorithms to model and to train on large data sets.
Hallucinations are outputs which may initially appear to be believable but are in fact highly inaccurate or fabricated including, but not limited to, references that sound plausible but don’t exist.
What we expect from researchers and organisations who apply to us for funding
Researchers must disclose any use of generative AI on their application form except where it has been used for:
- translating applications from other languages to English and/or
- improving the standard of English used in applications
Wellcome gathers information on generative AI use for transparency and monitoring purposes. It does not affect the assessment process.
Researchers are responsible for the content of their applications. They must:
- be honest, transparent and accountable about the use of generative AI tools in their application
- protect confidential information and personal data by not inputting it into generative AI tools
- ensure the outputs from generative AI tools used in their applications are valid. This includes removing any false, misleading or hallucinated information
- be aware of third party intellectual property rights (where the rights to the material belong to someone else) when using AI tools in an application, and only use information from third party sources with consent from the relevant copyright holder
Organisations must provide guidance to their staff on how to use AI responsibly.
What we expect from our expert reviewers and committee members
Expert reviewers and advisory panel members must not input any content from our confidential grant applications or reviews into, or otherwise use, generative AI tools to develop their expert review feedback. Doing this breaches the confidentiality agreement that expert reviewers and advisory panel members agree to.
Wellcome’s use of generative AI when processing and assessing grant applications
Wellcome does not use generative AI tools to make decisions on grant applications.
Wellcome staff have access to our own instance of a generative AI tool which may be used for purposes unrelated to the application process.
Wellcome staff have access to a limited number of other AI tools which may be used for purposes unrelated to the application process. Information from applications is not entered into these.