Wellcome Trust, as a key funder of the influential Eat-Lancet report advocating sustainable dietary practices, is indirectly drawn into controversy as a vested interests‐backed PR campaign sought to discredit the study. The report, which recommends reduced consumption of red meat to safeguard planetary health, faced an orchestrated backlash that included discrediting messaging and societal polarization.

In a public-philanthropic initiative, the UK government and Wellcome Trust announced an investment of up to £600 million to establish a centralized, secure health data research service. This service aims to accelerate medical research, reduce bureaucratic delays in clinical trials, and improve patient care while safeguarding sensitive NHS data.

Wellcome Trust has published its Modern Slavery Statement for 2025, outlining a social audit that reviews its working conditions and supply chain labor practices. The statement, available on the Modern Slavery Statement Registry, signals the organization's effort toward transparency and ethical responsibility in its business practices.

In response to significant US cuts to global health and research funding, the Wellcome Trust is monitoring the impact on its international programmes, particularly in Africa and Asia, and exploring options to support the global research ecosystem. This move underscores its commitment to advancing health equity and countering policies that undermine critical scientific research.

Wellcome Trust outlines its approach to influencing policy change by convening policymakers, researchers, and civil society to promote evidence-based solutions that address community needs and foster a supportive environment for health and research.

Wellcome Trust announced plans to counter institutional racism by establishing a dedicated funding stream for researchers who are Black and people of colour, and by applying positive action principles to research funding decisions.

Wellcome Trust released its Modern Slavery Statement detailing robust measures to mitigate modern slavery risks in its supply chain. The organization emphasizes adherence to the London Living Wage and fair labor practices for its over 1,000 employees, while instituting contractual safeguards with service partners and engaging Unseen UK for an external review of its anti-slavery policies.

Wellcome Trust publicly acknowledged past racial shortcomings and announced a set of new actions aimed at advancing anti-racism, including introducing positive action principles in funding decisions, a dedicated funding stream for Black and researchers of colour, and a new EDI leadership role. The update comes as part of an evaluation revealing that although there had been some progress, significant gaps remain in their commitment to anti-racism.