The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science, delivered with Nature, recognises novel interventions aimed at improving the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The award is designed to speed up the development and uptake of effective solutions, while encouraging policymakers to give mental health greater priority. It seeks to build a worldwide network of innovation in this field.

Wellcome, a global charitable foundation focused on urgent health challenges, and Nature, a science publisher, jointly organise the prize. Wellcome funds research across life, health, and wellbeing, with particular attention to mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. Nature’s Awards initiatives support researchers and aim to create real-world impact beyond academic publication.

The prize offers substantial financial support and seeks to raise the global profile of mental health science. By highlighting promising research and generating interest among policymakers, funders, and the public, the competition encourages more investment and collaboration. It is a multi-stage process that identifies and rewards teams whose work shows strong potential for transformative change in severe mental health conditions.

Applications are submitted through the Submittable portal at https://natureawards.submittable.com/submit/9fffa425-3394-4f81-8a5f-dce0ae1a0309/the-wellcome-prize-for-mental-health-science-with-nature. To begin, either register a new account or sign in to the platform. Once logged in, go through the application guidelines and requirements listed on the portal. Assemble the necessary materials, which generally comprise project proposals, team resumes, evidence of intervention development, and supporting data or research. Complete and submit the application via the portal by the deadline of September 15, 2026, 5:30 AM IST. Shortlisted candidates will be informed in April 2027, with finalists named in May 2027 and the winner announced in June 2027.

The selection process is a multi-stage, jury-led global competition. After applications are submitted, an expert committee of scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and innovators screens and evaluates each entry. Shortlisted teams are chosen based on the novelty, scientific rigour, potential impact, and feasibility of their proposed mental health interventions, and may be asked for additional information or to take part in in-depth interviews.

Finalists are then selected and announced, after which a Grand Jury conducts a comprehensive review to determine the single prize winner. From the opening of applications to the announcement of the winner, the entire process takes roughly 13 months.