Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences and a founding member of UKCDS.

UK bioscience helps tackle major global challenges like climate change, adequacy of food supplies and the threat of pandemics from livestock-to-human diseases.

BBSRC's mission:

• Fund internationally competitive research
• Provide training in the biosciences
• Encourage opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation
• Engage the public and other stakeholders in dialogue on issues of scientific interest 

The Chief Executive, Professor Douglas Kell, sits on the UKCDS Board.

Research

Food security, bioenergy and health are the top three priorities for BBSRC for 2010-2015, as outlined in its strategy 'The Age of Bioscience'.

International development

BBSRC science, particularly institute-based research on agriculture and food production, has considerable potential to reduce hardship and promote prosperity in developing countries. For example, improved varieties of staple crops, practical improvements in crop management and new strategies for controlling livestock diseases are some of the outcomes from BBSRC-funded research.

Research funding

The majority of the BBSRC's £300M funding portfolio is delivered through responsive mode research grants, which can be applied for at any time in any area of the council's remit.

Calls for special initiatives are made regularly and fellowships and studentships are also awarded to scientists at various stages of their careers.

Larger grants of over £2M are awarded annually through the longer and larger grants (LoLas) scheme to support projects requiring "big" science approaches: longer timescales, intensive resources or multidisciplinary approach.

For more information and the latest funding opportunities visit www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/funding-index.aspx