# BBSRC New Investigator Scheme (Responsive Mode)

**Funder:** BBSRC
**Budget:** Up to £2M
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage: assessed on research potential rather than track record
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/bbsrc-standard-research-grant/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For early-career researchers who have not previously received competitively obtained funding as PI that included postdoctoral research assistant staff costs. Must meet standard BBSRC eligibility (UK-resident, lecturer-level post). The previous 3-year time limit has been removed. Assessed on research potential rather than track record.

## Summary

The BBSRC New Investigator Scheme funds early-career researchers in the UK biological sciences to pursue independent research projects with up to £2 million over five years. The scheme is designed for researchers who have not yet received competitive funding as principal investigator that included postdoctoral research assistant staff costs, and it assesses candidates on research potential rather than prior track record. Annual responsive-mode rounds are open to researchers in lecturer-level or equivalent posts at eligible UK institutions.

## Who should apply

- Early-career researchers who have not previously held a PI grant including postdoctoral staff costs
- Researchers in lecturer-level or equivalent academic posts at UK institutions
- Bioscience researchers working within BBSRC remit (agriculture, animal science, bioinformatics, plant science, etc.)
- Applicants with strong research ideas but limited independent funding track record

## Key dates

- Deadline varies by round; check UKRI Funding Service for the next responsive-mode submission window
- Single-stage assessment: all proposals evaluated together on research potential
- Up to five-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- This scheme removes the previous 3-year-post-PhD time limit; career breaks are not a barrier, provided you meet the PI funding criterion.
- Assessors prioritize originality and feasibility of the research idea over publication volume or preliminary data breadth; frame your potential clearly.
- Include a realistic project timeline and methodology section; the single-stage process means all detail is evaluated at once with no revision loop.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I apply for in the BBSRC New Investigator Scheme?

Up to £2 million over up to five years for your research project.

### Who is eligible for the BBSRC New Investigator Scheme?

Early-career researchers in a lecturer-level post at a UK institution who have not previously received a competitive PI grant that included postdoctoral research assistant staff costs. The scheme no longer has a time limit after PhD.

### What career stage is the BBSRC New Investigator Scheme designed for?

Researchers establishing independence as principal investigators, typically at lecturer level or equivalent, with limited prior independent funding.

### Is there a time limit after my PhD for the BBSRC New Investigator Scheme?

No, the previous three-year time limit has been removed, so career breaks and varied career paths are acceptable.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/bbsrc-new-investigator-scheme-responsive-mode-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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