BBSRC

Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships

80% FEC; no upper limit. ~15 grants to be awarded.| Deadline: 23 September 2026 (21 days)|3 years

4:00pm UK time. Full stage only — applicants must have been shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203).

Last updated: 5 Jul 2026

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BBSRC Early Independence Fellowships support early-career researchers in establishing their own research niche within bioscience, with no upper budget limit and BBSRC funding 80% of full economic costs. Open to researchers of any nationality hosted at eligible UK institutions, the fellowship covers salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support over three years. Applicants must first be shortlisted at the outline stage (OPP1203) before submitting a full proposal to this call.

Details

Funder	BBSRC
Budget	80% FEC; no upper limit. ~15 grants to be awarded.
Deadline	23 September 2026
Duration	3 years
Consortium	No
Application	2-stage: outline (OPP1203) → full stage (this call, by invitation/shortlist only)
Frequency	Annual
Career stage	Early-career opportunity
Eligible countries	GB

Eligibility & scope

Early independence fellowship for researchers seeking to establish their own research niche within BBSRC's bioscience remit. Open to any nationality but must be hosted at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. No time-bound post-PhD eligibility criteria. Covers personal salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support; no equipment purchases permitted. BBSRC funds 80% FEC.

Who Should Apply

•Early-career researchers seeking to establish an independent research group
•Researchers of any nationality, hosted at a UK institution eligible for BBSRC funding
•Researchers working within BBSRC's bioscience remit (molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, plant science, etc.)
•Applicants shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203), full stage is by invitation only

Key Dates

•Full stage deadline: 23 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
•Two-stage process: outline stage (OPP1203, earlier deadline) followed by this full-stage call for shortlisted applicants only
•Three-year fellowship duration

Tips for Applicants

✓This is a full-stage-only call, you must have been shortlisted from OPP1203 to submit here; do not apply directly to this call.
✓BBSRC funds 80% FEC and sets no budget ceiling, but equipment purchases are not eligible, plan consumables, salary, and staffing instead.
✓The fellowship covers your personal salary and technician support, which many UK early-career schemes exclude; emphasise team-building and independence from your postdoctoral supervisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship fund?

Personal salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support over three years at 80% FEC. Equipment purchases are not eligible.

Is there a budget cap for BBSRC Early Independence?

No upper limit; BBSRC funds 80% of full economic costs of the project you propose.

Can I apply directly to the full stage, or must I go through the outline stage first?

You must be shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203) to be invited to submit a full proposal; direct applications to this call are not accepted.

Who is eligible for BBSRC Early Independence?

Early-career researchers of any nationality hosted at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding, working within bioscience.

When is the full-stage deadline?

23 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.

bbsrcearly-careeruk-basedbiosciencefellowshipindependence-granttwo-stage

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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.

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