Shaping the future of animal health and welfare
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) · International
Funding to advance sustainable, resilient and ethically responsible livestock and aquaculture systems across Europe. Supports international collaborative projects in animal welfare and prevention and control.
Summary
Deadline
30 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to advance sustainable, resilient and ethically responsible livestock and aquaculture systems across Europe. Supports international collaborative projects in animal welfare and prevention and control.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Animal health, animal welfare, livestock systems, aquaculture, food and bioresources.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. UK registered organisation eligible per shaping the future of animal health and welfare competition. Proposals must focus on one of two topics: Topic 1 Animal Welfare or Topic 2 Prevention and Control. Topic 1 aims to improve animal welfare throughout the production cycle. Topic 2 supports development of innovative therapeu...
Eligible applicants
Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£730,000 Full Economic Cost
Total fund available
£3,750,000
Funding intensity
BBSRC funds 80% of Full Economic Cost.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Proposals must focus on one of two topics: Topic 1 Animal Welfare or Topic 2 Prevention and Control. Topic 1 aims to improve animal welfare throughout the production cycle. Topic 2 supports development of innovative therapeutics and vaccines to prevent and control animal infectious diseases, reduce antimicrobial use and enhance livestock resilience.
Eligible expenses
- Projects can cost up to £730,000 Full Economic Cost. UK funding covers 80% FEC.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare submission portal (EUPAH&W). UKRI Funding Service not opened for pre-proposals.
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Pre-proposal deadline 30 March 2026. Full proposal deadline 16 September 2026.
Assessment process
Pre-proposal stage followed by full proposal stage by invitation.
Application sections
- Pre-proposal submission via EUPAH&W portal. Full proposal by invitation only via portal.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Not specified in provided content.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications not submitted through correct portal will not be reviewed. Failure to meet collaboration requirements results in ineligibility.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
36 months
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Austrian Science Fund
- Belgium’s Fund for Scientific Research
- Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund
- Belgium's Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment
- Belgium’s Research Foundation – Flanders
- Innovation Fund Denmark
- Estonia's Eesti Teadusagentuur
- Finland's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Collaboration rules
- Must include a UK team and at least two eligible partners from at least two different member country co-funders. Partner research organisations are funded by corresponding national agencies.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicants or collaborations per Innovate UK competition guidance.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Joint transnational call; collaborative research."},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"State aid rules impose restrictions for certain trade and industry participants."},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Proposals may include animal research. Must comply with relevant regulatory and national guidelines."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Must include UK team and required international partners. Must focus on one of the two specified topics. Must submit through EUPAH&W portal."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"UK applicants encouraged to contact BBSRC and Defra funding contact points before submission. Final allocation between BBSRC and Defra determined at office level."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 30 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £730,000 Full Economic Cost
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Animal health, animal welfare, livestock systems, aquaculture, food and bioresources.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 25 Jan 2026