# Engineering Biology Programme: Foundational Technology Hubs

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £12 million (80% FEC funded)
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Required - project lead, co-leads and project partners from industry, academia, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/engineering-biology-programme-foundational-technology-hubs/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds major hubs developing foundational technologies, tools and platforms underpinning engineering biology in the UK. Host organisations must provide 20% matched funding; applicants are strongly encouraged to involve industry, academic, infrastructure and policy partners. Application deadline to be confirmed.

## Summary

UKRI's Engineering Biology Programme: Foundational Technology Hubs funds large-scale hubs that build foundational technologies, tools and platforms for engineering biology in the UK, with up to £12 million available per hub (80% FEC) over up to five years. The call targets consortium leads able to assemble industry, academic, infrastructure and policy partners, with host organisations required to provide 20% matched funding.

## Who should apply

- Project leads and co-leads capable of coordinating a multi-partner consortium
- UK-based host institutions able to commit 20% matched funding
- Academic and industry groups developing engineering biology tools, technologies or platforms
- Infrastructure providers and policy stakeholders joining as project partners

## Key dates

- Application deadline to be confirmed
- Up to five-year hub duration

## Tips for applicants

- Secure firm commitments for the 20% matched funding early, since host organisations must guarantee this before submission.
- Build the consortium around a clear foundational-technology or platform focus rather than a single research question, as the call targets hub-scale infrastructure.
- Involve industry and infrastructure partners from the outset, the scope excerpt explicitly flags this as a priority for assessors.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the UKRI Foundational Technology Hubs call provide?

Up to £12 million per hub, funded at 80% of full economic costs (FEC).

### Is matched funding required for this UKRI grant?

Yes, host organisations must provide 20% matched funding alongside the UKRI award.

### Who can apply to the Engineering Biology Foundational Technology Hubs call?

UK-based project leads and co-leads forming a consortium with industry, academic, infrastructure and policy partners.

### How long can a Foundational Technology Hub project run?

Projects can run for up to five years.

### Is a consortium required for this grant?

Yes, the call requires a project lead, co-leads and project partners from industry, academia, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ukri-engineering-biology-programme-foundational-technol-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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