Researchers across Africa and Asia have a new opportunity to lead the fight against global health threats through the Wellcome Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award.
This one-off initiative is designed to support transdisciplinary teams as they develop innovative proposals for future clinical trials.
Working in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the program focuses on optimizing licensed vaccines and therapeutics.
The ultimate goal is to generate the robust evidence needed to change international health policies and deliver impact in low- and middle-income countries.
Funding and benefits
Successful applicants can receive up to £200,000 to fund their research development for a period of up to 24 months.
Wellcome expects to make approximately 20 awards in this competitive cycle, helping scientists bridge the gap between early ideas and detailed research protocols.
The grant covers a variety of essential costs, including contributions to the salaries of lead applicants and coapplicants who dedicate at least 10% of their time to the project.
It also provides for research assistants, technicians, and even experts with lived experience.
Beyond personnel, the funding supports materials, consumables, and the purchase of specialized equipment necessary for the project.
Grantees may also access funds for professional development and research skills training to strengthen their team’s long-term capacity.
Application requirements and eligibility
The call targets mid-career and established researchers based at institutions in Africa, South Asia, or South-East Asia, with the exception of mainland China.
Eligible host organizations include higher education institutions, research institutes, and non-profit healthcare organizations.
Applicants must assemble a team of two to eight people, ensuring that at least half of the members are based in the designated eligible regions.
Teams must prove they possess the expertise to design and manage large-scale clinical trials while maintaining an inclusive research environment.
All proposals must focus on optimizing interventions for specific disease categories, including mycobacterial, bacterial, or invasive fungal infections, as well as dengue, leishmaniasis, or schistosomiasis.
Projects that do not target these areas or cannot be scaled into future randomized controlled trials will not be considered.
Deadline
The clock is ticking for interested researchers, who must submit their completed applications through the Wellcome Funding platform by 15:00 BST on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
Wellcome has emphasised that late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Prospective leads should allow significant time for their host organisation’s internal approval process before the final submission.
An internal committee will review the proposals, with final funding decisions expected to be released by the end of July 2026.
To apply, visit the Wellcome call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
