# Engineering Biology Programme: Mission Hubs

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £15M (80% FEC funded by UKRI)
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Required - cross-sector partnerships with industry, public sector, regulators, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders; institutional matched funding of 20% of FEC required from host organisations
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/engineering-biology-programme-mission-hubs/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds mission hubs for engineering biology-based products, processes and services, requiring cross-sector collaboration with industry, investors, regulators and policymakers. Host organisations must provide 20% matched funding of FEC; not for foundational/broad-application technology research.

## Summary

The UKRI Engineering Biology Programme: Mission Hubs funds large cross-sector hubs developing engineering biology-based products, processes and services, with up to £15M available (80% FEC funded by UKRI) over up to five years. The call targets UK host organisations able to build consortia spanning industry, investors, regulators and policymakers, and excludes foundational or broad-application technology research in favour of mission-focused development. Host organisations must contribute 20% matched funding of FEC.

## Who should apply

- UK host organisations able to lead large, long-term cross-sector consortia
- Teams working on applied engineering biology products, processes or services
- Organisations able to secure industry, investor, regulator and policymaker partners
- Institutions able to commit 20% matched funding of FEC
- Not suitable for foundational or broad-application technology research proposals

## Key dates

- Application deadline to be confirmed
- Project duration of up to 5 years

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the hub around a specific mission outcome, not platform or foundational technology, since the call explicitly excludes broad-application research.
- Line up named commitments from regulators and policymakers early, cross-sector partnership is a stated requirement, not just a preference.
- Confirm the 20% matched funding commitment from your host institution before developing the full proposal, as this is a hard eligibility requirement.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the UKRI Engineering Biology Mission Hubs call provide?

Up to £15M per hub, funded at 80% of full economic costs (FEC) by UKRI.

### Is matched funding required for the Engineering Biology Mission Hubs?

Yes, host organisations must provide 20% matched funding of FEC.

### Who can apply to the Engineering Biology Mission Hubs programme?

UK-based host organisations able to assemble cross-sector consortia including industry, investors, regulators and policymakers.

### Does this call fund foundational engineering biology research?

No, the call explicitly excludes foundational or broad-application technology research and instead funds applied products, processes and services.

### How long can an Engineering Biology Mission Hub run?

Projects can run for up to 5 years.

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

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