Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 2 November 2026
How many awards will be funded?
There is no pre-set number of awards.
How much is each individual award?
Award sizes will vary based on the scope and requirements of the selected proposals. Collectively, all performer budgets will comprise the program’s total funding of up to $50 million. Award amounts are dependent on specific proposals and work selected for funding.
Who is eligible?
Performers from universities and research institutions: small, medium, and large companies (including venture-backed); and government or non-profit research organizations are invited to propose.
Wellcome Leap accepts project proposals from any legal entity, based in any legal jurisdiction, including academic, non-profit, for-profit, and regulatory/professional organizations. Applicants are encouraged to contact Wellcome Leap about joining its Health Breakthrough Network by executing its MARFA (or CORFA for commercial entities) agreement. Full execution of the Wellcome Leap MARFA is not required for application submission but is required for any award.
What will I be asked to agree to when submitting an abstract?
To submit an abstract, applicants will be asked to agree to the following:
I understand that the information being disclosed will be reviewed and evaluated independently on behalf of Leap. I am submitting information with the intention that it imposes no confidentiality obligations on Leap. Furthermore, my submission does not breach any confidentiality obligations that I owe to others; there is no legal reason why I cannot submit information; and I am not underage or otherwise legally incompetent. By submitting, I am not granting, other than for the purpose of evaluation, any rights in relation to any patent, copyright, or design. I am not relying upon Leap in any way for legal advice, including (but not limited to) whether the contents of my submission can be protected under IP law. I recognize that Leap may already be aware of or funding the same or related efforts as described by my submission. I agree that no contractual obligation or working relationship is being created between myself and Leap by submitting this information. If the submission is deemed of interest, I may be required to sign a further Agreement with Leap so that any confidential information, that is subsequently shared, is protected.
I acknowledge and consent to the use of AI systems operated by third parties to process such data. These systems may generate summaries, insights or other recommendations based on the content of the application. You waive any claims against Wellcome Leap related to the use of AI for summarization, provided that complies with applicable laws and internal policies.
Is the Program open to applicants from outside the United States and UK?
Yes, it is open to applicants around the world.
Is the Program open to applicants who are not a part of the Wellcome Leap Health Breakthrough Network?
What is the working model or program structure of Wellcome Leap programs?
Performers are from universities and research institutions: small, medium and large companies (including venture-backed); and government or non-profit research organizations. Our programs are actively led and orchestrated by a Program Director who adjusts, iterates, and directs teams working together so as to solve problems they cannot solve alone. The program timeline begins after the program kickoff meeting and ends at the three-year mark.
Are animal studies excluded?
All study proposals aligned to the program goals are welcome and are reviewed case by case. Any studies proposing animal studies must follow appropriate ethical practices.
Who can I contact if I have a question about the program?
Send an email with your question to ampt@wellcomeleap.org.
Is there a specific format for Wellcome Leap program applications?
Is the online application portal the only way to provide a submission?
Yes. Abstracts and proposals are not accepted via email.
Is it possible to have multiple applicants on a submission?
Yes. Multiple collaborators can be on a single submission, but only the Principal Investigator (PI) will be able to submit the application on the portal. There is no limit to the number of Co-PIs.
Is it necessary to form a consortium when applying?
No. We encourage individuals or small teams to apply in the thrust area(s) best aligned with their expertise and capabilities. It is not necessary to form a large consortium or team a priori to address all thrusts or an entire goal in a single abstract or proposal. Indeed, we intend to facilitate synergies dynamically among AMPt performers as we make progress together toward the program’s goals.
What are the eligible costs?
Full direct and government-certified indirect costs appropriate to the execution of the research, are eligible. There are no caps on indirect rate, salary, FTE, or total award size.
Can you have multiple submissions?
Yes.
Am I able to edit my submission once submitted?
No.
When will I receive feedback on my submission?
May I still submit a full proposal if I receive a recommendation to not submit on my abstract feedback?
Yes.
Will my idea be treated as confidential during the review process?
Please see the program page for confidentiality of submission details.
What is the review process?
Please see the program page for information on the review process in each round. Applications for AMPt go through a structured peer-review process. We have a reviewer roster that includes the Program Director, the Scientific and Engineering Program Coordinator, as well as several internal and external reviewers, with oversight from the Wellcome Leap CEO, COO and the Director of Program Development.
What is the travel requirement when participating in a Wellcome Leap program?
There are typically two required PI meetings a year, so 6 throughout the 3-year program. Reporting and check-ins will vary by Program Director, research thrust area, and performer.
If you are planning travel related to your research goals, please include it in your submitted budget for consideration.
Are references required?
Yes, please include your references as part of the required page limit.
What should be included in the budget submission?
The budget should be submitted in USD and also include full university overhead direct costs (supplies, equipment, salaries, depreciation, training, travel) and government-certified indirect costs appropriate to the execution of the research. There are no overhead or salary caps.
Is the submitted budget locked, or can it be changed later?
Abstract-stage budgets are good-faith estimates, we expect that they will be revised at the full-proposal stage with more details.
If we have questions, can we meet with the Program Director?
Our program director is not able to meet with applicants during the abstract and proposal phase, but you can ask specific questions here ampt@wellcomeleap.org. Please refer to the full program announcement for details on the aims and goals of the program.
What does “government-certified indirect costs” mean for non-US institutions?
Use your institution’s standard, government-certified or institutional-policy rate. We don’t impose a specific percentage. This applies internationally; we accept the rate your government certifies and/or your institution applies as a standard.