Wellcome has launched the world’s largest global prize dedicated to mental health science in partnership with Nature. The new initiative, called the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature, aims to recognize and support breakthrough innovations that improve understanding, prevention, and treatment of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
The prize has been created to address one of the world’s most urgent yet underfunded health challenges. Organizers hope the award will accelerate scientific progress, encourage innovation, influence public policy, and support the adoption of effective mental health interventions capable of transforming lives on a global scale.
The initiative will celebrate advances across multiple fields of mental health science, including pharmacological, psychological, social, and digital interventions. By highlighting research and innovations that demonstrate measurable improvements in outcomes, the prize seeks to showcase the growing opportunities within mental health science and the increasing potential for effective treatment and early intervention strategies.
According to Professor Miranda Wolpert, the world is currently experiencing a major transformation in mental health science. She explained that recent breakthroughs in research are already changing how mental health conditions are understood and treated. The prize aims to recognize these developments and support discoveries that could significantly improve people’s lives in the future.
The award comes at a time when global mental health systems remain under severe strain. More than one billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions, while healthcare systems in many countries continue struggling to provide adequate support and treatment. The report noted that the global median share of government health spending allocated to mental health is only 2.1 percent, with spending levels especially low in lower-income countries.
The statement highlighted growing concerns surrounding anxiety and depression, which are now among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite increasing rates of mental health conditions, only a small percentage of people with depression receive adequate treatment globally. Untreated mental health conditions can contribute to physical illnesses, lower quality of life, reduced productivity, and premature mortality.
The economic impact of mental health challenges is also substantial. According to the announcement, anxiety and depression contribute to the loss of approximately 12 billion productive workdays every year worldwide, creating major social and economic consequences that extend far beyond healthcare costs.
Dr Magdalena Skipper, who will chair the prize’s judging panel, stated that solving mental health challenges requires strong and trustworthy research across multiple scientific disciplines. She explained that the prize will highlight scientifically rigorous and practical solutions that can improve lives, influence healthcare policies, and strengthen mental health practices globally.
Applications for the prize are now open to research teams and small and medium-sized organizations worldwide. Eligible applicants must demonstrate strong scientific credibility, engagement with lived experience, and clear potential to improve mental health outcomes on a large scale. The application deadline has been set for 18 September 2026.
The overall winner of the prize will receive USD 1 million, while three finalists will each receive USD 250,000. In addition to financial support, finalists will gain global recognition, increased visibility for their research, and access to development support aimed at helping move their innovations toward practical adoption and policy integration.
The judging process will evaluate entries based on four main criteria: novelty, scientific credibility, effectiveness, and adoptability. Applications will also be assessed on how well they incorporate the perspectives and experiences of people directly affected by mental health conditions.
The judging panel includes experts from multiple sectors, including academia, healthcare, and technology. Among the panel members are Professor Chyrell Bellamy and Obi Felten, alongside other international experts in mental health research and innovation.
The partnership between Wellcome and Nature brings together two globally recognized organizations with strong backgrounds in scientific research and international health initiatives. Wellcome is one of the world’s leading funders of mental health research, while Nature is internationally known for publishing high-quality scientific discoveries and supporting multidisciplinary research.
Organizers believe that celebrating and supporting mental health breakthroughs through this prize will help accelerate the development and adoption of better treatments, interventions, and care systems worldwide. The initiative aims to encourage global collaboration and ensure that promising scientific advances can reach people and communities who need them most.
