Eligibility information for organisations

The eligible geographical location of organisations are determined by each funding opportunity. Read the individual funding opportunity page for details. 

Wellcome may not be able to fund organisations that are based in:

• Countries subject to international sanctions. Read our statement on international sanctions.
• Territories that are not legally recognised by the UK Government.

Wellcome can’t fund activities in mainland China. 

We will not accept applications from the tobacco industry. This includes manufacturers and distributors of e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Read our policy on researchers funded by the tobacco industry for further eligibility requirements.

We may not be able to fund organisations that could either damage or call into question our reputation as a trusted and independent global funder.

Our Early-Career Award, Career Development Award, and Discovery Award funding schemes are open to administering organisations based in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as those in low- or middle-income countries (except mainland China and India).

Organisations must:

• be a not-for-profit organisation
• be able to sign up to the relevant grant conditions
• have a mission that helps advance Wellcome’s strategic priorities
• have the capacity and capability to undertake the proposed activities (including provision of facilities and resources required that can’t be requested in an application)

This can be a:

• higher education institution
• research institute
• healthcare organisation

Organisational eligibility criteria for other funding opportunities may be different. Check the individual funding opportunity page for details.

If your organisation is a research institute based in the UK or Republic of Ireland that receives core funding, your application must include a statement from the director of your unit or organisation, confirming that your proposal:

• is not part of any core-funded programme
• has not been refused for funding as part of that core programme
• will not lead to a reduction in your core support

We may ask your organisation to provide more information if they:

• have not received Wellcome funding before
• have not recently received Wellcome funding