Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund (26BBR)
- Funding
- Up to £1,600,000
- Deadline
- 19 November 2026
- Location
- UK-wide
- Applications
- Deadline: 19 November 2026
Overview
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funds UK research organisations to implement, improve or consolidate bioinformatics and biological resources, with up to £1.6 million per project. That is 80% of a full economic cost of up to £2 million, and the research organisation pays the other 20%. The call opened on 23 September 2026 and closes on 19 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. Projects can run for up to five years and start no earlier than 1 July 2027. The indicative budget for the whole call is up to £7 million. Eligible resources include databases, software tools, culture and germplasm collections, mutant lines, clones, DNA samples and genetic libraries. Each application needs up to 10 letters of support showing community demand, and an advisory board independent of the institutions and partners involved. Applications go through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. Resources with restricted or institutional access, archive-only resources and mainly biomedical or clinical projects are excluded.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- BBSRC funds 80% of full economic cost; your research organisation funds the remaining 20%
- Full economic cost of up to £2 million, so BBSRC funding of up to £1.6 million
- Projects can last up to five years and can start no earlier than 1 July 2027
- Must deliver a community resource with significant demand or an established user base
- Applications must show consideration of long-term sustainability beyond BBSRC support
- Applications go through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S
Who it is for
- Researchers and research technical professionals normally eligible to apply to BBSRC
- Staff at UK research organisations eligible for BBSRC funding
- Research technical professionals as project leads or co-leads, if the role suits someone with substantial research experience
- Teams building or maintaining databases, software tools or biological materials such as germplasm collections, mutant lines, clones, DNA samples or genetic libraries
- Teams with an established user base or significant demand for the resource
Who it is not for
- International researchers as applicants (they can join as project partners)
- Resources already supported by other means
- Resources with restricted or institutional access, or archive-only resources
- Collections of preserved, non-recoverable specimens
- Projects focused mainly on biomedical, clinical or healthcare research
- Projects where generating new data is the main aim
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. The fund is open to researchers and research technical professionals normally eligible to apply to BBSRC. Research technical professionals can be project leads or co-leads if their responsibilities suit someone with substantial research experience. International researchers cannot apply, but can join as project partners. Resources already supported by other means, with restricted or institutional access, or that are archive-only will not be funded. Nor will collections of preserved, non-recoverable specimens, or projects focused mainly on biomedical, clinical or healthcare research.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Researchers and research technical professionals at UK research organisations who want to build, improve or maintain a community bioscience resource such as a database, software tool or collection of biological materials.
Regions
No published award history for Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Apply for funding to implement, improve or consolidate bioinformatics or biological resources in support of UK bioscience, helping to drive forwards progress in bioscience research and innovation.You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding.
How to apply
Apply through the UKRI Funding Service, not Je-S. The project lead selects 'Start application', signs in or creates an account, and answers the questions online. Send the finished application to your research office, which checks it and submits it to UKRI. Only the lead research organisation can submit. The deadline is 19 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get from the Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund (26BBR)?
BBSRC funds 80% of the full economic cost, up to £1.6 million on a project costing up to £2 million. Your research organisation covers the remaining 20%.
When is the Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund deadline?
BBSRC must receive your application by 19 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. You cannot apply after this time.
Can an international researcher apply to the BBSRC Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund?
No. International researchers cannot apply, but they can join a project as project partners. The lead applicant must be at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026