BBSRC Brazil pump-priming award (FAPPA)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) · International
Pump-priming funding to support collaboration between Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded researchers in the UK and researchers funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil. The scheme supports travel, collaborative activities and preliminary research to develop future joint research proposals.
Summary
Deadline
14 Jul 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Pump-priming funding to support collaboration between Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded researchers in the UK and researchers funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil. The scheme supports travel, collaborative activities and preliminary research to develop future joint research proposals.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Biotechnology and biological sciences research fields supported by BBSRC.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Researchers currently holding a BBSRC research grant or researchers working in BBSRC strategically supported institutes funded through Institute Core Grant Awards. Applicants must meet standard BBSRC eligibility rules. Students are not eligible to apply. The project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation and must be the named individual on an active BBSRC grant. Activities t...
Eligible applicants
Researchers currently holding a BBSRC research grant or researchers working in BBSRC strategically supported institutes funded through Institute Core Grant Awards. Applicants must meet standard BBSRC eligibility rules. Students are not eligible to apply.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £35,000
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
80% FEC on direct research costs; 100% FEC on travel, subsistence and collaborative activities.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Activities to initiate and strengthen collaboration including travel, exchanges, workshops and joint research activities aimed at generating preliminary data for future joint research proposals.
Eligible expenses
- Travel and subsistence, collaborative activities such as workshops and exchanges, and limited direct research costs including consumables or access to specialist equipment. Direct research costs cannot exceed 50% of the total BBSRC funding requested.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under BBSRC–FAPESP pump-priming award terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Decisions are communicated following internal review by BBSRC and FAPESP.
Assessment process
Applications are reviewed internally by BBSRC and a joint funding decision is made in collaboration with FAPESP.
Application sections
- Summary, core team details, Brazil team details, purpose of collaboration, resources and cost justification, ethics and responsible research and innovation, genetic and biological risk considerations, organisation support, project partners, data management plan, facility usage and trusted research and innovation considerations.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met, required documentation is missing, or the proposal does not follow application guidance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
15 Jul 2025
Project duration
Up to 2 years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
Collaboration rules
- Projects must involve collaboration between UK BBSRC funded researchers and researchers in São Paulo funded by FAPESP. A joint application must be submitted to BBSRC while the Brazilian collaborator submits the proposal to FAPESP.
- Collaboration with researchers based in São Paulo, Brazil who hold FAPESP funding is required.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"International research collaboration and early stage exploratory research."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must hold an active BBSRC grant with at least six months remaining at the start of the collaboration project. Applications must clearly demonstrate the benefit of collaboration to both UK and Brazilian research communities."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before travel or project start. The UK applicant submits a joint proposal to BBSRC while the Brazilian collaborator submits the corresponding proposal to FAPESP through the SAGe system."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 14 Jul 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £35,000
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Biotechnology and biological sciences research fields supported by BBSRC.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 15 Jul 2025