Funding overview

The Wellcome Trust's funding is based around funding streams, covering core areas of biomedical science and the medical humanities. Cutting across these streams are funding programmes in Technology Transfer and Public Engagement.

Each funding stream has associated with it one or more Funding Committees, responsible for most funding decisions, and a Strategy Committee, which advises the Trust on the needs and opportunities within its area of interest.

The funding streams offer a variety of forms of support, such as project and programme grants, and career development awards.

Technology Transfer funding comprises Translation Awards and Strategic Translation Awards. A special initiative, Strategic Translation Awards in Drug Discovery, was launched in 2005.

Public Engagement is supported primarily through the Engaging Science programme, which includes Society Awards and People Awards. Occasional large Capital Awards are made to support nationally or internationally important developments.

Strategic Awards and some other large or unusual awards are considered by a Strategic Awards Committee, comprising Governors, senior staff and other representatives, on a one-off basis.