The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature
By Wellcome
Check your eligibility
Create a free account and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
A global prize by Wellcome and Nature for groundbreaking interventions in mental health science, offering up to ₹9.52 crore for a winner and ₹2.38 crore for finalists, along with significant visibility and support.
- Funding amount
- ₹2.38 Cr – ₹9.53 Cr
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Wellcome
- Application deadline
- 12d — 15 Sept 2026
- Location
- International
About this competition
The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science, in partnership with Nature, champions novel and impactful interventions designed to transform the lives of individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, and psychosis. This prestigious international prize seeks to accelerate the development, adoption, and policy prioritization of effective solutions, fostering a global ecosystem of innovation in mental health.
Organized by Wellcome, a global charitable foundation dedicated to solving urgent health challenges, and Nature, a world-leading science publisher known for advancing discovery, the prize leverages significant resources and platforms. Wellcome supports cutting-edge research across life, health, and wellbeing, with a strong focus on mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. Nature, through its Nature Awards initiatives, extends its mission to support outstanding researchers and drive real-world change beyond traditional publication.
The prize aims to not only provide substantial financial backing but also to elevate mental health science globally. By celebrating breakthrough research and generating enthusiasm among policymakers, funders, and the public, the initiative strives to encourage greater investment and collaboration in this critical field. This multi-stage competition identifies and rewards teams whose interventions demonstrate exceptional promise in creating transformative change for people affected by severe mental health conditions.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Organizers
Wellcome is a UK-based global charitable foundation that funds discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, focused on mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. Together with Nature (Springer Nature), it runs the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science,…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- ₹2.38 Cr – ₹9.53 Cr
What You Get
This prize offers substantial financial backing, with one overall winner receiving US$1 million (approximately ₹9.52 crore) and three runners-up each awarded US$250,000 (approximately ₹2.38 crore). Beyond monetary support, successful teams will gain unparalleled global visibility through Wellcome and Nature's extensive platforms, crucial connections with policymakers and funders, and practical support to navigate the complexities of accelerating adoption and integrating their interventions into policy frameworks. This comprehensive package is designed to propel innovative mental health solutions from research into real-world impact.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Duration
- 14 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science is a multi-stage, jury-judged global competition. Following the application submission, entries undergo a rigorous screening and evaluation by an expert committee comprising leading scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and innovators. Shortlisted teams are identified based on the novelty, scientific rigor, potential impact, and feasibility of their proposed mental health interventions. These teams may be required to provide further information or participate in in-depth interviews. Finalists are then selected and announced, leading to a comprehensive review by a Grand Jury, which ultimately determines the single prize winner. The entire process, from application opening to winner announcement, spans approximately 13 months, ensuring a thorough and fair assessment of all submissions.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Applicants prepare and submit their intervention proposals and supporting documents via the Submittable portal.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science?
The prize aims to accelerate the development, adoption, and policy prioritization of effective interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. It also seeks to generate enthusiasm for mental health science among policymakers, funders, and the public to encourage greater investment in research.
Who is eligible to apply for this prize?
The prize is open to research teams worldwide developing new, effective interventions for anxiety, depression, or psychosis. Eligible teams can be based at universities, research institutes, hospitals, government or not-for-profit organizations, or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including startups and companies.
What are the prize amounts?
One winning team will receive US$1 million (approximately ₹9.52 crore). Additionally, three finalists (runners-up) will each be awarded US$250,000 (approximately ₹2.38 crore).
Is there a geographical restriction for applicants?
No, applications are welcome from around the world. The program is explicitly international with no country restrictions.
What kind of support is offered beyond the financial prize?
Beyond financial backing, the prize provides significant global visibility through Wellcome and Nature's platforms, strategic connections with key stakeholders, and practical support to help winning interventions progress towards widespread adoption and successful policy integration. This includes elements like mentorship, investor access, and market entry support.
What is the application deadline?
The authoritative application deadline is September 15, 2026, at 5:30 AM IST, as indicated on the Submittable application portal.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
