Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Full application) | September 2027 (Host inclusive selection statement)
Funding Amounts: £9 million total fund; no award-value limit; 80% of full economic cost for three years
Summary: Supports researchers establishing an independent bioscience research niche within a host laboratory and developing towards research leadership.
Key Information: Full-stage applicants must have submitted an outline application and been shortlisted by their research office; institutional caps apply.
Description
UK Research and Innovation’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) runs this early independence fellowship to help researchers establish their own research niche and take their first substantial step towards independence. It supports investigator-led research within a host laboratory, alongside training and career development, for applicants demonstrating career consolidation, productivity and potential to become future research leaders.
The scheme funds excellent bioscience across BBSRC’s remit, with a strong commitment to curiosity-led research. Supported approaches include hypothesis-driven research, data-driven and discovery-led investigations, and technology development. Research can span molecules, cells, tissues, organisms, populations and landscapes. Multidisciplinary proposals are welcome where bioscience remains the primary focus. Projects without an explicit hypothesis must articulate clear goals, justification and potential outcomes.
