We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our cookies and for us to access these on your device. Find out more about how we use cookies and how to change your cookie settings.

Strategic Awards in Medical Humanities

Print the contents of all the tabs on this page (excludes global navigation tabs)

Purpose

Strategic Awards provide flexible forms of support to excellent research groups with outstanding track records in their field. In particular, Strategic Awards in Medical Humanities support research to address the challenges outlined in the Wellcome Trust's Strategic Plan for 2010-2020, and/or will explore medicine in social, historical and cultural contexts more broadly.

Awards are made to established research groups and can include a range of disciplines within the field of medical humanities, biomedical ethics, arts, social sciences, and collaborations with scientists, clinicians and health practitioners.

Strategic Awards are funded in partnership with the host institution(s). A written commitment from the institution is a prerequisite to submitting an application; this should explain how the proposal fits with the strategic aims and priorities of the institution.

What's included

Awards are normally for five years and can provide funds for:

  • research staff
  • research expense
  • research leave
  • travel
  • training programmes
  • networking
  • public engagement activities.

Limited capital building or refurbishment essential to the programme can also be requested.

The support available can be tailored to the needs of individual groups with agreement from the Trust and might be justified in terms of the added value they will provide.

Eligibility

Applications will be considered from principal applicants who meet our eligibility criteria and are recognised international leaders in their field.

Application process

You are required to submit a preliminary application, which should include the following information.

1. An outline of your proposed research (up to 5 pages) including:

  • high level aims and objectives
  • research question(s)
  • management structure
  • proposed outputs
  • outline costs
  • how your proposal will help address one or more of the five challenges in the Wellcome Trust's Strategic Plan for 2010-2020, and/or will explore medicine in social, historical and cultural contexts more broadly

2. Track record: the main applicants must complete a CV page [Word 110KB]

3. A statement from the head of the institution, indicating how the proposal fits within the context of the institution's strategic vision and what financial commitment the institution will make to the group if the application is successful.

If your preliminary application is successful, you will be invited to submit a full application. The relevant form will be provided at this time.

Your full application will be sent for peer review and will then be considered by the Strategic Awards Committee. The Committee meets four times a year and you may be asked to make a presentation to support your case.

You will be given the opportunity to comment on referees' opinions before the Committee meeting.

You should note that if referees provide predominantly negative reviews of a Strategic Award application, then the application may be withdrawn from consideration at the Strategic Awards Committee meeting.

Application advice

Prior to submitting a preliminary proposal, you are encouraged to contact a member of Trust staff from the appropriate funding department to discuss your application (please see 'Contacts').

Applications will be judged on:

  • The importance of the research question(s)
  • Appropriateness of methods,expertise and management structure
  • Added value (which can be demonstrated in a number of ways):
    Multi-disciplinary collaborations
    New approaches/methodologies
    Capacity building/training
    Impact on policy and practice
    Opportunities for public engagement

Applicants will be asked to show how their proposal will help to address one or more of the five challenges in the Trust's Strategic Plan, and/or how it will explore medicine in social, historical and cultural contexts more broadly.

Applicants will also need to demonstrate:

  • a strong track record/international reputations in their field(s)
  • feasibility
  • value for money.

Deadlines

Preliminary applications may be submitted at any time and are assessed on a rolling basis.

Contacts

Grants Management, Medical Humanities
Wellcome Trust
Gibbs Building
215 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE, UK

T +44 (0)20 7611 8429/8736
F +44 (0)20 7611 8528
E mh@wellcome.ac.uk

Wellcome Trust, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK T:+44 (0)20 7611 8888