London Writers Centre and Wellcome Collection have announced the return of the Wellcome Collection Non-Fiction Awards which aim to find and support writers from underrepresented groups who have a big idea for a non-fiction book for general readers that engages with the themes of health and being human.
Open to 18+, UK-based unpublished and unagented writers who are disabled and/or global majority.
Up to six awardees will be selected for a ten-month development programme to expand their non-fiction ideas to full-length book proposals. The programme will run from September 2026 to June 2027.
Judged by award-winning authors Kerry Hudson and Micha Frazer-Carroll, and literary agent Eli Keren, the programme will offer each writer a £2,000 bursary, specialist support from the publishing director and teams at Wellcome Collection, mentoring with an author, masterclasses on writing non-fiction, insight and industry days and the opportunity to meet with agents.
Wellcome Collection will have first refusal on the projects. In addition, there will be a public programme of masterclasses and panel events to offer a wider range of support to aspiring non-fiction writers.
Find out more here
Deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 8 April 2026