BBSRC Follow-on Fund 2026 Round

Animal Research Rule: Specific requirements apply if research involves animals, overseas animal research, GM organisms or biological risk. Approvals required where applicable.

Appendices Required: Gantt chart (one A4 page). Project partner letters of support (single PDF). Animal research template (if applicable). Overseas animal research checklist (if applicable).

Application Limit: Not specified

Application Platform: UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S).

Application Sections: Background. Opportunity and market analysis. Route to market. Intellectual property management and communication. Wider benefits. Organisation support. Project partners. Applicant and team capability (R4RI). Ethics and RRI. Genetic and biological risk. Research involving animals. Research involving human participation. Data management. Resources and cost justification. Facilities. Trusted Research and Innovation.

Assessment Process: Assessed by the FoF Committee panel. Final funding decision by BBSRC.

Co-Funders: None stated

Collaboration Rules: Industry and user project partners strongly encouraged. Applications without partners must demonstrate industry or user engagement. Project partner IP access requires minimum contribution thresholds.

Competitiveness: Not specified

Decision Risks: Applications out of remit or out of scope may be rejected before assessment. Applications without prior BBSRC link are ineligible.

Decision Timeline: Assessment completed within six months of receiving application.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs under FEC model. Staff. Facilities. Equipment. Project partner contributions permitted.

Eligible Scope: Must draw upon current or previous BBSRC-supported research. Must enable research outputs to be further developed into practical application. Must demonstrate UK benefit.

Funding Intensity: 80% of FEC.

Funding Rate: BBSRC will fund 80% of the Full Economic Cost (FEC).

Important Notes: Does not support Official Development Assistance (ODA) activity. May invite successful applicants to additional market discovery support via Innovate UK ICURe programme.

Ineligible Projects: New research or extension of existing research grants. Training-only projects. Applied or contract research for commercial organisations. ODA-focused projects. Patent filing costs. Applications with no prior BBSRC link. International researchers not eligible.

Interview Stage: Not specified

Key Requirements: Must have substantial link to BBSRC funding. Must demonstrate market need. Must demonstrate route to practical application. Must deliver UK benefit.

Match Funding Requirement: No additional matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC institutional contribution. Project partners seeking IP access must meet minimum contribution thresholds (10% or 50% depending on IP rights).

Project Duration: Up to 2 years

Project End Date: Maximum 2 years from start

Project Start Date: Not specified

Publication Date: 2026-01-27 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Resubmissions permitted; must identify if resubmission.

Research Category: Translation; commercialisation; market development; technology progression.

Sanctions Rule: Not specified.

Subcontractors: Not specifically detailed.

Subsidy Scheme: Not specified.

Total Fund Available: £3,000,000