In short
Wellcome's policy 'Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our grant application process' (last updated 8 April 2026) allows applicants to use generative AI but requires them to declare substantive use on the application form. Minimal use, such as language help, need not be disclosed. Reviewers and committee members must not put confidential applications into generative AI tools.
Requires disclosure. Applicants may use AI and must say where they used it.
For applicants
- Applicants may use generative AI tools when preparing an application. They must tell Wellcome about any substantive use on the application form, such as idea generation, data analysis, code, or generating an abstract. [1]
- Minimal use does not need to be disclosed. Examples are translating into English, improving the standard of English, and formatting or reducing word count. [1][2]
- Applicants must not use generative AI to generate an entire application, or sections of one, without human involvement. They must not use it in ways that breach research integrity, such as fabricating data or faking citations. [1]
- Applicants are responsible for the content. They must check that outputs are valid, remove false or hallucinated information, and not input confidential information or personal data into AI tools. [1]
- Wellcome collects disclosures for monitoring only and does not use them in assessment. Any concern that AI was misused will be investigated. [1]
- Organisations must give staff and students guidance on responsible research practice, including how to use AI in line with research integrity principles and this policy. [1]
For reviewers
- Expert reviewers and advisory committee members must not input Wellcome's confidential grant applications into generative AI tools. Doing so breaches their confidentiality agreement. [1]
- Reviewers may use generative AI only for side tasks that do not involve inputting applications, such as checking prior research, sourcing existing knowledge or methods, and language refinement. They must ensure outputs are valid and remove false or hallucinated information. [1]
- Wellcome says it does not use generative AI tools to assess application quality or to aid funding decisions. [1]
Sources
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our grant application process (opens in a new tab)
We require the use of generative AI tools to be declared when applying for grant funding, with some exceptions as outlined in this policy.
Applicants for Wellcome funding can use generative AI tools when preparing a grant application but must tell us about any substantive use of generative AI on their application form.
Applicants are not required to disclose any minimal use of generative AI tools on their application form.
to generate an entire application, or sections of an application, without human involvement.
We collect information on the use of generative AI in grant applications for monitoring purposes.
Anything you tell us will not be used in the assessment process.
Any concerns raised that generative AI has been misused will be investigated.
ensure the outputs from generative AI tools used in their applications are valid (this includes removing any false, misleading or hallucinated information)
protect confidential information and personal data by not inputting it into generative AI tools
Organisations must provide guidance to their staff and students on promoting responsible research practice, including how to use AI in line with principles of research integrity and our policy.
Expert reviewers and advisory committee members must not input our confidential grant applications into generative AI tools.
Reviewers may only use generative AI tools for side tasks if they do not input our confidential grant applications.
Reviewers must ensure the outputs from generative AI tools used are valid.
We do not use generative AI tools to assess the quality of grant applications or to aid funding decisions.
Funding policies and grant conditions (opens in a new tab)
Wellcome requires the use of AI to be declared when applying for grant funding except where it is used to help with language.
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.