Deadline: 02-Jun-2026
The Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award by Wellcome provides £1 million to £8 million in funding for transdisciplinary teams to conduct randomized controlled trials in Africa, South Asia, and South-East Asia. The program focuses on optimizing treatments for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, dengue, and bacterial infections. Projects must generate actionable evidence to inform policy, improve healthcare outcomes, and benefit communities in low- and middle-income countries.
What Is the Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award?
The Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award is a major global health funding program designed to support randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that improve the use of existing pharmaceutical treatments.
The program is funded by Wellcome and targets low- and middle-income regions, particularly Africa, South Asia, and South-East Asia.
Core Purpose
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Generate high-quality clinical evidence
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Optimize treatment and prevention strategies
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Influence health policy and clinical guidelines
Key Concept: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a scientific study where participants are randomly assigned to different treatment groups to compare outcomes.
Why RCTs Matter
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Provide reliable and unbiased evidence
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Identify the most effective treatments
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Inform policy and global health decisions
Funding Details
Grant Size
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Minimum: £1,000,000
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Maximum: £8,000,000
Project Duration
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3 to 5 years
Eligible Costs
Funding can cover:
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Staff salaries and research teams
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Equipment and laboratory materials
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Clinical trial operations
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Fieldwork and travel
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Public engagement
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Data analysis and management
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Open access publishing
Focus Areas: Priority Diseases
The program supports trials addressing high-burden infectious diseases.
1. Mycobacterial Infections
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Tuberculosis (TB)
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Leprosy
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Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
2. Bacterial Infections
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Lower respiratory tract infections
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Bloodstream infections
3. Fungal Infections
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Invasive fungal diseases
4. Neglected Tropical and Viral Diseases
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Dengue
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Leishmaniasis
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Schistosomiasis
Projects must produce actionable evidence that improves clinical practice, health systems, and patient outcomes.
Who Is Eligible?
Team Composition
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One Lead Applicant and at least one Coapplicant
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At least 50% of applicants must be based in eligible regions
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Maximum of 8 team members
Eligible Regions
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Africa
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South Asia
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South-East Asia
Eligible Institutions
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Universities and higher education institutions
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Research institutes
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Healthcare organizations
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Non-profit research bodies
Ineligible as Administering Organizations
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Commercial organizations
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Multilateral agencies
These may still participate as collaborators or coapplicants.
Lead Applicant Requirements
The Lead Applicant must:
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Be a mid-career or senior researcher
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Be based in an eligible region
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Have experience leading large-scale clinical trials
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Hold a stable contract for the project duration
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Be affiliated with an eligible administering institution
Coapplicants and Collaborators
Coapplicants
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Can be based globally (except mainland China)
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Must contribute significantly
Collaborators
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Provide expertise, data, or resources
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Not eligible for salary funding
Additional Requirements
Expertise
Teams must demonstrate:
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Clinical trial design and implementation
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Strong data analysis skills
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Experience in partnerships and collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
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Must include policymakers or public health stakeholders
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Must show clear engagement strategy
Inclusion
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Promote diversity and inclusion
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Include researchers at different career stages
Why This Award Matters
1. Improves Global Health Outcomes
Supports evidence-based solutions for major infectious diseases.
2. Influences Policy and Practice
Findings contribute to national and international treatment guidelines.
3. Builds Research Capacity
Strengthens clinical research systems in low- and middle-income countries.
4. Promotes Equity
Ensures leadership from regions most affected by infectious diseases.
How to Apply for the Clinical Trial Award
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Build a Team
Include diverse, transdisciplinary experts with regional representation.
Step 2: Define Research Focus
Select a high-priority infectious disease and clear research question.
Step 3: Design the Trial
Develop a strong randomized controlled trial methodology with clear outcomes.
Step 4: Engage Stakeholders
Include policymakers, health authorities, and community partners.
Step 5: Prepare Proposal
Include:
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Scientific rationale
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Trial design
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Budget (£1M–£8M)
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Timeline (3–5 years)
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Impact plan
Step 6: Submit Application
Apply through the official Wellcome system.
Step 7: Evaluation
Applications are assessed on quality, feasibility, impact, and team expertise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Weak or unclear clinical trial design
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Lack of stakeholder engagement
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Insufficient regional representation
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Unrealistic budgets or timelines
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Missing policy relevance
Tips for a Strong Application
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Focus on real-world impact
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Ensure strong methodology
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Include experienced trial leaders
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Demonstrate policy relevance
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Show clear community benefit
FAQ: Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award
1. What is the funding range?
£1,000,000 to £8,000,000 per project.
2. How long can projects run?
Between 3 and 5 years.
3. Who can apply?
Transdisciplinary research teams with strong regional representation.
4. Can high-income country researchers participate?
Yes, but at least 50% of the team must be based in eligible regions.
5. What diseases are covered?
Tuberculosis, dengue, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and neglected tropical diseases.
6. Are policymakers required in the project?
Yes, involvement of public health stakeholders or policymakers is expected.
7. What makes a proposal competitive?
Strong design, clear impact, experienced team, and policy relevance.
Conclusion
The Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award by Wellcome is a high-value funding opportunity supporting impactful clinical research in low- and middle-income regions. With significant funding and a strong focus on policy-relevant outcomes, it enables teams to generate evidence that improves treatment, strengthens health systems, and advances global health equity.
For more information, visit Wellcome.