Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships (Outline)

About this grant

Apply for a BBSRC fellowship to further your career through an early independence research fellowship. Supports talented researchers to lead their own research plans to establish their own research niche and make the first step-change towards independence.

Eligibility requirements

All of the following criteria must be met:

• Must be an early career researcher
• Hold a PhD qualification or have relevant research experience combined with clear evidence of leadership potential
• Based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding
• Applicants of all nationalities welcome (subject to fellowship being based at eligible UK organisation)
• Cannot have held lecturer level position or equivalent competitive fellowship
• Cannot be project lead on current UKRI grant application being assessed

What the funding covers

• 3-year fellowship (can be held full-time or part-time down to 0.5 FTE)
• Personal salary
• Travel and subsistence
• Training activities
• Research consumables
• Technician support
• Visa costs if required
• No limit on grant value - BBSRC funds 80% FEC
• Total fund: £9,000,000 - aim to award approximately 15 grants

How to apply

1. 1Two-stage application process via UKRI Funding Service: (1) Outline stage - open to all applicants (vision 750 words, approach 1,500 words, capability 1,650 words); (2) Full proposal stage - invite only for successful outlines (opens July 2026)

Application tips