2026 to 2027 strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) outlines
Forecasted
2026 to 2027 strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) outlines supports bioscience research teams undertaking integrated discovery projects to transform understanding of living systems and strengthen UK capability.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Full application, invitation only) | June 2027 (Outline application)
Funding Amounts: 80% of full economic costs for projects over £2 million; up to five years
Summary: Supports large, integrated team-science projects delivering transformational advances in fundamental bioscience and strengthening UK research capability.
Key Information: Project leads and co-leads must meet BBSRC eligibility criteria and be based at eligible UK organisations.
Description
The strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) programme is run by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation. It supports large, curiosity-driven bioscience discovery projects with potential for major breakthroughs in understanding living systems. Research may span molecules, organisms and populations, with particular encouragement for multimodal and multiscale approaches combining experimental and data-driven work. Cutting-edge technology development is encouraged when it enables new fundamental biological discoveries.
Projects must be fully integrated programmes whose outcomes could not be achieved through separate smaller awards or research groups working independently. Alongside transformational scientific advances, the programme seeks distinctive UK bioscience capabilities, stronger specialist and technical capacity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, research leadership and a lasting legacy beyond the funded team. Work primarily applying existing knowledge to end-user objectives or contemporary socio-economic challenges is unsuitable.
