Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature is a global initiative focused on improving outcomes for people living with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Established in May 2026, the prize supports interventions that can be developed quickly, adopted at scale, and incorporated into policy frameworks across different countries. The effort brings together Wellcome, an international charitable foundation, and Nature, a scientific journal, to emphasise rigorous evidence and wide-reaching communication.

The programme seeks to stimulate new work in mental health science, build public and political interest in the field, and contribute to measurable improvements in care worldwide. It prioritises approaches that are scientifically credible and suited to practical use, with the capacity to influence systems and bring about lasting change.

• Access the Portal: Applications are accepted solely via the official Submittable portal, which is linked from the Nature awards page. If you already have an account, log in; otherwise, create one before proceeding.
• Prepare Your Application: Gather all required materials and details as specified by the portal. These generally include a comprehensive write-up of your intervention, evidence supporting its clinical basis, a roadmap for its development and uptake, and particulars about your team and organisation. A compelling submission will explicitly outline the problem your intervention targets, its distinctiveness, its anticipated benefits, and a feasible approach for expansion.
• Submit by Deadline: Your full application must be received before the cutoff of September 18, 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Any submissions arriving after this time will be disregarded.
• Await Notifications: Those shortlisted will receive notice around April 2027, with finalists revealed in May 2027 and the eventual winner declared in June 2027.

Applications are first screened by a panel drawing on expertise from Wellcome, Nature, and the broader mental health science community. This initial review weighs each submission’s scientific merit, clinical grounding, and likely societal impact. Teams that pass this stage may be asked for further details or to attend interviews, with finalists judged on demonstrated progress, the strength of their intervention, and their ability to secure broad uptake and policy influence. A jury of senior figures in mental health, science, and public policy then selects the overall winner, basing its decision on the excellence and transformative potential of the work presented.