Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize 2026 – The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize 2026 is a global challenge prize supporting practical and innovative solutions that can improve outcomes for people affected by snakebite in high-burden regions. The £6.25 million prize is seeking solutions that strengthen community responses, improve access to appropriate care and help deliver better snakebite treatment.
The prize is particularly relevant to organisations and innovators working in South Asia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, where snakebite has a major impact on rural and vulnerable communities.
About the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize 2026
The prize is designed for practical solutions rather than only high-tech innovations. Proposed solutions may address areas such as community response, first aid, logistics, referral systems, healthcare access, treatment delivery and other barriers in the snakebite patient journey.
The prize has two tracks:
Launch Track – for new or repurposed ideas that need support to develop into viable solutions.
Growth Track – for more mature solutions that have been tested and are ready for further validation, implementation or scale.
Funding and Prize Awards
Up to 15 finalist teams will receive funding and specialist support:
- 10 Launch Track finalists will receive £75,000 each.
- 5 Growth Track finalists will receive £100,000 each.
In December 2027, four winning teams will receive larger awards:
- 2 Launch Track winners – £750,000 each.
- 2 Growth Track winners – £1.75 million each.
Finalists will also receive mentoring, technical support, training, matchmaking and connections with relevant experts and partners.
Who Can Apply?
The prize is open to organisations around the world. It welcomes problem-solvers from different fields, including health workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, community organisations, designers, engineers and innovators with relevant experience.
Teams should propose a solution that addresses a real challenge affecting people who experience snakebite and demonstrates potential for meaningful implementation and impact.
Key Areas
Solutions may focus on:
- Community response and first aid
- Faster access to appropriate medical care
- Emergency transport and referral systems
- Healthcare delivery and logistics
- Diagnostics and clinical decision support
- Community trust and engagement
- Technology, social and systems-level innovation
- Implementation and scale-up
The organisers specifically encourage practical approaches that are grounded in the needs of affected communities rather than solutions based only on technology.
Important Date
Entry deadline: 16 September 2026 at 12:00 noon UTC
For applicants in India, this is 5:30 PM IST on 16 September 2026.
Late entries will not be accepted. Entries must be submitted online through Submittable and completed in English.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official online entry form provided by the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize.
Applicants should select the track appropriate to their solution and ensure that their proposal meets the eligibility requirements and judging criteria.
Official Application and Information:
https://snakebiteprize.challenges.org/
The official website also provides an Innovator Handbook, entry guidance, matchmaking support and information about the judging criteria.
Why This Opportunity Matters for Indian NGOs
Snakebite is a significant health challenge in South Asia, particularly among rural and agricultural communities. The prize is therefore relevant to Indian organisations developing practical solutions for community health, emergency response, healthcare access, treatment delivery and related challenges.
The organisers are specifically looking for solutions that can work in real-world, high-burden settings and involve the people and communities affected by snakebite.
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