Early independence: BBSRC fellowships: outline
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) · United Kingdom
Fellowship funding to support early career researchers to establish independent research and demonstrate leadership potential within biosciences. Includes outline and invite only full stage.
Summary
Deadline
22 Apr 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Fellowship funding to support early career researchers to establish independent research and demonstrate leadership potential within biosciences. Includes outline and invite only full stage.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Biotechnology. Biological sciences.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. Must hold a PhD or have relevant research experience. Must show leadership potential. UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding must host fellow; applicant at outline stage per BBSRC early independence criteria. Independent investigator led research within BBSRC remit. Includes plants, microbes, animals, humans an...
Eligible applicants
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. Must hold a PhD or have relevant research experience. Must show leadership potential.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No upper FEC limit; BBSRC funds 80% (approximately 15 grants expected)
Total fund available
£9,000,000
Funding intensity
80% of full economic cost
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Independent investigator led research within BBSRC remit. Includes plants, microbes, animals, humans and relevant tools or technologies. Multidisciplinary research allowed if primarily within BBSRC remit.
Eligible expenses
- Personal salary. Travel and subsistence. Training activities. Research consumables. Technician support for specialist technical skills. Visa costs if required.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under BBSRC fellowship FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Outline peer review by BBSRC Pool of Experts and Research Committee E. Shortlisting to invite full stage. Full stage expected to include peer review, shortlisting and interview.
Application sections
- Outline vision. Outline approach. Applicant capability to deliver. Full stage by invitation only.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Not specified at outline stage
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications outside scope may be rejected. Failure to meet eligibility leads to rejection. Outline must be accessible to broad expert panel.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
11 Feb 2026
Project duration
Three years full time. Part time allowed down to 0.5 FTE on pro rata basis.
Project start
30 Jun 2027
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Applicants of any nationality allowed. Fellowship must be hosted at a UK eligible organisation.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant fellowship hosted by eligible UK research organisation.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"Only one application to a BBSRC fellowship scheme per year."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Must comply with UKRI ethical framework if applicable."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Expected at full stage"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must demonstrate independence trajectory. Must justify host organisation. Must show leadership development plan. Must align with BBSRC strategic priorities where relevant."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Identical resubmissions not permitted. Revised applications allowed if feedback addressed."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Two stage process. Outline open to all. Full stage invite only. No equipment purchase allowed. Application cannot be amended after submission."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 22 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- No upper FEC limit; BBSRC funds 80% (approximately 15 grants expected)
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Biotechnology. Biological sciences.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 10 Feb 2026