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: £9M - aim to award approximately 15 grants

How to apply

1. 1Overview of the BBSRC fellowship application process
2. 2Two-stage process: outline stage and invite-only full stage
3. 3Outline stage open to all applicants
4. 4Outline application includes outline vision (750 words)
5. 5Outline application includes outline approach (1,500 words)
6. 6Outline application includes applicant capability to deliver (1,650 words)
7. 7No costs requested at outline stage
8. 8Full proposal stage invite-only for successful outline applicants
9. 9Full stage details to be published July 2026
10. 10Full stage includes vision (1,100 words)
11. 11Full stage includes approach (3,000 words)
12. 12Full stage includes applicant capability to deliver (1,650 words)
13. 13Full stage includes career development (1,000 words)
14. 14Full stage includes host organisation support (1,000 words)
15. 15Full stage includes resources and cost justification (1,000 words)
16. 16Full stage includes ethics and responsible research and innovation (500 words)
17. 17Applications submitted through UKRI Funding Service only
18. 18Je-S system cannot be used
19. 19Organisation must be registered on Funding Service
20. 20Fellow completes application with contributions from team members and project partners
21. 21Only lead research organisation can submit application
22. 22Host organisation can provide support and guidance
23. 23Application process begins with Start Application
24. 24Confirm applicant is the fellow
25. 25Sign in or create Funding Service account
26. 26If organisation missing email support@funding-service.ukri.org
27. 27Allow 10 working days for organisation setup
28. 28Create organisation administration account recommended
29. 29Answer questions directly in text boxes
30. 30Can save responses and return later
31. 31Offline drafting and copy paste permitted
32. 32Upload documents only when requested
33. 33Check application in read-only view before submission
34. 34Send application to research office for checks
35. 35Research office submits final application
36. 36Visual elements can be used where relevant
37. 37Image captions required and count toward word limits
38. 38Each image on new line
39. 39Images under 5MB in approved formats only
40. 40Images cannot include paragraphs, tables or excessive quantity
41. 41Minimal text labels allowed in diagrams
42. 42References included within word counts
43. 43Use only pertinent references
44. 44Hyperlinks only for references not extending application
45. 45Applications must be self-contained
46. 46Generative AI tools permitted with caution
47. 47Outline application deadline 22 April 4:00pm UK time
48. 48No late submissions allowed
49. 49Follow institutional internal deadlines
50. 50Submitted applications cannot be amended
51. 51Non-compliant applications may be rejected
52. 52Full applications open early July 2026
53. 53Full applications close expected September 2026
54. 54Full stage expected open for 10 weeks
55. 55Personal data managed under UK data protection law
56. 56Sensitive information submitted via confidential email route
57. 57Examples of confidential information listed
58. 58No institutional matched funding required beyond standard 20% FEC
59. 59Third-party direct and in-kind contributions encouraged
60. 60Host institutions must still provide infrastructure support
61. 61Funding outcomes published by BBSRC
62. 62Successful awards published on Gateway to Research
63. 63Summary section word limit 300
64. 64Summary should include context
65. 65Summary should include challenge addressed
66. 66Summary should include aims and objectives
67. 67Summary should include applications and benefits
68. 68Core team roles include fellow and technician
69. 69Only one fellow permitted
70. 70Outline Vision section word limit 750
71. 71Explain significance and originality of research
72. 72Show potential for advancing knowledge
73. 73Demonstrate timeliness and impact
74. 74Show alignment with strategic aims
75. 75Provide aims and objectives as bullet points
76. 76Contextualise against prior work and bioscience landscape
77. 77Highlight unique or original features
78. 78High-level objectives expected unchanged at full stage unless feedback suggests otherwise
79. 79Outline Approach section word limit 1500
80. 80Describe effective and appropriate approach
81. 81Provide project plan chart or diagram
82. 82Broad feasibility assessed rather than detailed technical review
83. 83Approach should be accessible to broad expert panel
84. 84Applicant capability to deliver word limit 1650
85. 85Demonstrate experience appropriate to career stage
86. 86Show skills and aptitude to deliver work
87. 87Evidence positive research environment contributions
88. 88Show team working or leadership skills
89. 89Use R4RI format
90. 901150 words for R4RI modules
91. 91Optional additions section up to 500 words
92. 92R4RI module on generation of new ideas and methodologies
93. 93R4RI module on development of others and relationships
94. 94R4RI module on contributions to research and innovation community
95. 95R4RI module on broader societal benefit contributions
96. 96Additions section for contextual factors such as career breaks
97. 97Additions written as narrative not CV

Application tips