Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
Funding type:
Grant
Total fund:
£5,000,000
Maximum award:
£350,000
Publication date:
17 September 2025
Opening date:
24 September 2025 9:00am UK time
Closing date:
19 November 2025 4:00pm UK time
Last updated: 25 September 2025 -
Apply for funding to pursue early-stage bioscience discovery research.
Applications should open novel adventurous research avenues with the potential to transform our fundamental understanding of living systems.
Your project must:
* be early-stage fundamental bioscience lacking preliminary data
* explore visionary and untested ideas
* have the potential to open new research paradigms in the longer-term
You must be .
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £350,000. BBSRC will fund 80% of the FEC (that is, £280,000). Projects can last up to two years (three in exceptional circumstances).
Mandatory registrations must have been submitted by 19 November 2025, when the full application stage will open.
You can only apply for this funding opportunity if you submit your idea to both mandatory stages.
To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. .
Who is eligible to apply
Before applying, please check the following:
* *
Only include individuals who are essential for the delivery of the project.
The inclusion of researcher co-leads is encouraged where they have made a substantial intellectual contribution to the development of the application and will be engaged with the ensuing research.
Who is not eligible to apply
Multiple applications by the same project lead are not permitted. Project co-leads may participate in multiple applications.
International researchers
Project leads or co-leads based outside the UK are not permitted. You should include international collaborators and UK partners not based at approved organisations as project partners.
Resubmissions
We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder.