Funding for early career researchers in biological sciences to establish research leadership and independence.
Multidisciplinary applications that cross into other research council areas are permitted providing the primary focus of your work falls within the BBSRC remit.
Those interested should note that this is the only BBSRC fellowships opportunity open in 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must have a PhD qualification or relevant research experience combined with clear evidence of leadership potential. There is no limit on the number of years postdoctoral or work experience.
Applications are welcomed from applicants of all nationalities, including those not currently located in the UK, providing fellowships are held at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC Funding.
You are not eligible to apply if:
- you have applied to a concurrent UKRI fellowship of the same type (career transition)
- you are the project lead on a UKRI grant application and it is being assessed
- you have secured grants as a project lead that include support for and leading of research staff such as postdoctoral research associates (PDRAs), as this would indicate you have already made the step-change to independence
- you hold or have ever held a position at lecturer level (or the equivalent in an institution other than a university), unless this is a teaching-only post or did not provide an opportunity to start an independent research group
- you hold or have ever held an equivalent competitive fellowship that allows you to establish an independent research group, and therefore independent researcher status
VALUE AND DURATION
There is no limit to the value of individual awards (15 fellowships are expected to be funded form a £9 million budget).
The duration of this award is three years.
Funding supports salary, consumables, travel, training, specialist technical support, and visa costs if required. It does not cover additional research staff or equipment.
KEY DATES
Webinar for potential applicants: 5 March 2026
Outline application deadline: 22 April 2026
Full stage launch: Mid-July 2026
Full stage deadline: Mid-September 2026
Project start date: no later than 1 July 2027
Further details can be found on the opportunity webpage and in the guidance document below.
Note that this funding opportunity was renamed in 2024 – the scheme was formerly known as ‘BBSRC Discovery Fellowships’ and grants previously awarded under this scheme can be viewed on Pivot-RP.