BBSRC Funding Opportunities

BBSRC funds a wide range of science in the area of non-medical biological sciences to meet the needs of users in agriculture, bioprocessing, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals and other related industries. BBSRC has seven major research areas, each of which supports a number of projects involving inter- or multidisciplinary research. The two areas most relevant to the interface with chemistry are the Biomolecular Science (BMS) and Engineering and Biological Systems (EBS) committees. However, potential applicants are strongly advised to look at the remits of the other committees on the website to check the best committee for their application.

BMS Committee was formerly sponsored by both BBSRC and EPSRC but is now sponsored solely by BBSRC following a financial transfer from EPSRC. EPSRC maintains an interest in BMS Committee by attending meetings of the Committee and has the option to co-fund applications that are of specific interest. 

EBS is a BBSRC Committee, but it receives £750K pa from EPSRC in support of projects in the areas of biological aspects of nanotechnology, mathematical biology and biochemical engineering. Projects of interest to EPSRC are sponsored on a 50:50 basis.

Administration of all research grant applications is carried out by BBSRC. In the case of the EPSRC-supported areas of EBS Committee, administration involves both councils' staff but following BBSRC's peer review procedures; all grants made follow BBSRC terms and conditions. For all committees, the biological system to be studied must fall within the remit of BBSRC. Potential applicants are advised to visit the BBSRC website to ensure that the area they wish to research fits the remit of BBSRC.

The BMS Committee's role is to "further the understanding of biological functioning at the molecular level" thus all research grant applications must emphasise the biological problem to be addressed. BMS Committee has five themes that describe the scientific remit of the Committee.

EBS Committee supports multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in which the skills of life scientists, physical scientists and engineers are employed in theoretical and practical research to further the understanding of biological systems. This is a broad remit which, for clarification, is described under a number of scientific themes. The EBS Committee has recently revised its Themes and Priority Areas and potential applicants are advised to consult the website.

The Committees have a collection of scientific priority areas designed to encourage applications in areas to strengthen and enhance the portfolio. In addition, there is a number of cross-Committee priority areas, such as bioinformatics, under which the Committees are keen to encourage applications. However, high quality applications that fall outside these areas are also welcomed.

Each committee awards studentships once per year with restrictions on the scientific themes being considered. There are other opportunities for training support through the BBSRC quota and fellowship schemes, which operate Council-wide.

Details of terms and conditions and contact names for BBSRC staff can be found on the BMS and EBS pages of the BBSRC website. Please feel free to contact them.