Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships (Outline Stage)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom. Fellowship must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Fellowship funding to support early career researchers in establishing independent research programmes and demonstrating leadership potential within the biosciences. The fellowship supports the transition to research independence through an outline stage followed by an invite-only full stage. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
22 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Fellowship funding to support early career researchers in establishing independent research programmes and demonstrating leadership potential within the biosciences. The fellowship supports the transition to research independence through an outline stage followed by an invite-only full stage. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Biotechnology, biological sciences and interdisciplinary research within BBSRC's scientific remit. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
No additional match funding beyond the standard 20% institutional contribution under FEC. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding, hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience, and demonstrate clear evidence of leadership potential and progression towards research independence. The scheme is open to researchers, Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) and Research Software Engineers (RSEs). (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No upper funding limit specified. BBSRC funds 80% of the Full Economic Cost (FEC). (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
£9,000,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC). Host organisation funds the remaining 20%. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Investigator-led research across the full BBSRC remit, supporting researchers establishing independent research programmes and developing leadership capability. Multidisciplinary research is eligible where the primary focus lies within BBSRC's remit. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Research staff, technician support, research consumables, travel, subsistence, equipment where justified, and other costs permitted under UKRI FEC rules. Outline applications do not request costs. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
BBSRC expects to invite approximately 80 applicants to submit a full application, subject to assessor scores and funding availability. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision timeline
Outline outcomes expected by the end of June 2026. Full stage opens in mid-July 2026, interviews expected in February 2027, with final outcomes in March 2027. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Eligibility check followed by assessment from the BBSRC Pool of Experts and Research Committee E. Successful applicants are invited to submit a full application. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Outline Vision (750 words), Outline Approach (1,500 words), Applicant Capability to Deliver (1,650 words). No cost information is requested at the outline stage. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
- No additional supporting documents are required at outline stage beyond the Funding Service application. (UK Research and Innovation)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Failure to meet eligibility requirements or BBSRC remit will result in rejection. Submitted outline applications cannot be amended after submission. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
11 Feb 2026
Project duration
Three years. Fellowships may be held full time or part time (minimum 0.5 FTE on a pro-rata basis). (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
1 Jul 2027
Project end
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships (Outline Stage)
Minimum Award
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Latest Project Start Date
1 July 2027. (UK Research and Innovation)
International Eligibility
Applicants of any nationality may apply provided the fellowship is based at an eligible UK research organisation. Successful applicants may be eligible for a Global Talent visa under the Exceptional Promise route. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application Limit
Only one application may be submitted to this BBSRC fellowship scheme during the funding round. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subcontracting
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subsidy Scheme
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Sanctions Rule
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Animal Research Rule
Research involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare and ethical requirements where applicable. (UK Research and Innovation)
Interview Stage
No interview at outline stage. Interviews are expected only at the invite-only full stage. (UK Research and Innovation)
Key Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a clear trajectory towards research independence, strong leadership potential, an independent research vision and a suitable host research organisation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
This fellowship was formerly known as the BBSRC Discovery Fellowship. The 2026 competition is the only BBSRC fellowship opportunity available during the year. The competition uses a two-stage process consisting of an open outline stage and an invite-only full stage. A webinar for applicants was held on 5 March 2026, with the recording and Q&A published by UKRI. (UK Research and Innovation)
Contact Email
postdoc.fellowships@bbsrc.ukri.org. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/early-independence-bbsrc-fellowships-outline/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
22 April 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 22 Apr 2026
- Funding amount
- No upper funding limit specified. BBSRC funds 80% of the Full Economic Cost (FEC). (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Fellowship. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Biotechnology, biological sciences and interdisciplinary research within BBSRC's scientific remit. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 11 Feb 2026