BBSRC
Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships (Full Stage)
4:00pm UK time. Invitation-only full stage — applicants must have been shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203).
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The BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship (Full Stage) funds researchers establishing their own research niche within UK host organisations, with 80% FEC funding covering salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support over three years. This is an invitation-only full stage; applicants must have been shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203). Around 15 fellowships are awarded annually, open to any nationality provided the fellowship is based in the UK.
Details
| Funder | BBSRC |
| Budget | 80% FEC; ~15 grants awarded; no upper FEC limit |
| Deadline | 23 September 2026 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | 2-stage: outline (OPP1203) → full stage (this call, by invitation 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 a UK host organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. Open to any nationality but fellowship must be based in the UK. No time-bound post-PhD eligibility criteria. Covers personal salary, consumables, travel, training, technician support (specialist only); no equipment purchases permitted. BBSRC funds 80% FEC; ~15 awards expected.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers seeking to establish an independent research group in the biosciences
- •Applicants shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203)
- •Early-career researchers with no strict time-bound post-PhD eligibility window
- •Researchers hosting their fellowship at a UK institution eligible for BBSRC funding
- •Projects requiring salary, consumables, travel, training, and specialist technician support
Key Dates
- •Outline stage deadline: check OPP1203 call (shortlisting determines this invitation-only full stage eligibility)
- •Full stage deadline: 4:00pm UK time, Wednesday 23 September 2026
- •Three-year fellowship duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Only shortlisted outline-stage applicants may submit; confirm your invitation before investing time in the full proposal.
- ✓No equipment purchases are permitted, structure your budget around salary, consumables, travel, and people, not capital items.
- ✓BBSRC funds 80% FEC; budget your institutional overhead realistically and confirm your host organisation's eligible status in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship provide?
BBSRC funds 80% Full Economic Cost (FEC) with no upper limit; approximately 15 awards are made per year across all applicants.
Who is eligible for the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship?
Researchers of any nationality seeking to establish an independent research group, provided the fellowship is based at a UK institution eligible for BBSRC funding. There is no strict time-bound post-PhD eligibility criterion.
Is the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship invitation-only?
Yes, the full stage is invitation-only; only researchers shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203) may submit a full proposal.
What can I use the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship budget for?
You may fund personal salary, consumables, travel, training, and specialist technician support, but equipment purchases are not permitted.
How long is the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship?
The fellowship runs for three years.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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