Innovate Now with Wellcome is a pioneering grant and capacity-building programme designed to strengthen Black-led initiatives that support the research careers of Black and Mixed Black heritage people across the UK. Delivered by Do it Now Now (DiNN), the programme provides £13,000–£48,000 in multi-year funding, alongside expert-led support to help initiatives grow sustainably, build resilience, and expand their long-term impact on research culture.
Innovate Now with Wellcome Designed to Close Critical Gaps
The programme responds to a longstanding gap in the UK research ecosystem: many Black-led initiatives play key roles in mentoring, advocacy, safe spaces, and researcher support, yet remain underfunded and often volunteer-driven. Innovate Now ensures these initiatives receive the structural backing they need to thrive.
Funding is allocated based on an initiative’s annual income and legal form. Both registered and unregistered initiatives are eligible, provided their income does not exceed £150,000 annually. Beyond funding, grantees receive hands-on guidance to improve governance, strengthen leadership, build financial confidence, and develop operational readiness.
Innovate Now with Wellcome: Structure and Duration
Innovate Now is built as a 2–3 year programme, focusing on long-term resilience rather than short-term delivery. Over this period, grantees engage in:
-
Governance strengthening
-
Leadership and wellbeing development
-
Capacity building and internal systems development
-
Peer learning and collective sessions
-
Tailored, ongoing mentorship
Support continues throughout the journey, including 1-2-1 calls and regular drop-in sessions during application windows.
Application Rounds and Process
There are two application windows in 2026:
-
Round 1: 28 January 2026 – 25 March 2026
-
Round 2: 7 September 2026 – 27 November 2026
Applications begin with an Expression of Interest, followed by due diligence and a 1–2–1 health check for shortlisted applicants. Selected applicants receive proposal development support before onboarding into the full multi-year programme.
The application pathway includes:
-
Expression of Interest
-
Health Check and Due Diligence
-
Proposal Development
-
Onboarding
-
Capacity Building and Tailored Support
Funding Tiers
Funding is structured to match the size and context of each initiative:
-
£13,000 over 2 years: Unregistered or registered initiatives with annual incomes under £10,000
-
£21,000 over 3 years: Registered initiatives with incomes between £10,000–£30,000
-
£48,000 over 3 years: Registered initiatives with incomes between £30,000–£150,000
Eligibility includes UK-based operations, leadership that is majority Black-led, and demonstrable experience supporting Black heritage or Mixed Black heritage researchers or students.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
-
Build resilience and sustainability for Black-led initiatives
-
Strengthen governance, leadership, strategy, and internal systems
-
Support leaders through wellbeing and tailored development
-
Expand initiatives’ ability to support Black researchers
-
Contribute to long-term culture change in the research ecosystem
-
Back community-based, academic, and unincorporated groups providing mentoring, peer networks, workshops, advocacy, and research support services
By investing in lived experience-led leadership, Innovate Now helps ensure meaningful change within UK research spaces.
Supporting Black Leaders to Drive Systemic Change
As a Black community-focused infrastructure organisation, Do it Now Now operates across multiple sectors, supporting sustainability for climate action groups, youth-led initiatives, lived experience-led organisations, and strengths-based community efforts. The Innovate Now programme builds on this work, offering an evidence-backed model of investment and support.
Through information sessions, weekly drop-ins, and accessible programme design, Innovate Now ensures applicants and grantees receive ongoing guidance. Initiatives are encouraged to take the next step, strengthen their operational foundation, and build lasting impact within Black researcher communities.
A Transformative Opportunity
With tailored capacity building, long-term mentorship, and funding of up to £48,000, Innovate Now presents a rare opportunity for Black-led initiatives to scale their work, increase sustainability, and affect meaningful change in the UK research landscape. For organisations committed to advancing Black researcher success, now is the time to innovate.
Application can be accessed here.
To know more about such opportunities, click here.
