We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.
Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.
To apply
Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.
- Confirm you are the project lead.
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org
Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this opportunity, you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.
- Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.
- Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.
- Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.
Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. You should:
- use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words
- insert each new image onto a new line
- provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)
- ensure files are smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format
Watch our research office webinars about the new Funding Service.
For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:
References
Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information. To ensure the information’s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.
References should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019).
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
Deadline
BBSRC must receive your application by 15 October 2024 at 4:00pm UK time.
You will not be able to apply after this time.
Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.
Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
Personal data
Processing personal data
BBSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.
We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.
Publication of outcomes
If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Word limit: 550
In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.
We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
- opinion-formers
- policymakers
- the public
- the wider research community
Guidance for writing a summary
Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
- context
- the challenge the project addresses
- aims and objectives
- potential applications and benefits
Core team
List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- specialist
- research and innovation associate
- technician
- researcher co-lead (RcL)
Only list one individual as project lead.
Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.
Background
Word count: 2,200
What is the background to this application, including the direct link to current or previous BBSRC funding, and the technical development work that has preceded?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a brief overview of the background to this application including:
- the key grants (and funders) that have enabled and informed the work proposed in the application, specifying any previous BBSRC grant references
- details of the development steps that have progressed the research or innovation to this translation stage
- how the proposed work aligns with and addresses the priorities detailed within our strategic delivery plan
Within this section we also expect you to:
- identify if the application is a resubmission (including invited resubmission) and how the proposed work has developed
- reference any other correspondence with us relevant to and regarding the application
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.
References may be included within this section.
Application questions
Opportunity and market analysis
Word limit: 1,400
What is the opportunity you are looking to exploit or what challenge will your project address?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how your proposed work:
- has the potential to address a business need, technological challenge, or exploit a market opportunity
- could lead to the development or deployment of a new or improved product, service, or technology
- is timely given current trends and context
- meets the needs of potential users or customers
- is resilient to changing external circumstances and consumer behaviours
- impacts society, the economy or the environment
Within this section we also expect you to:
- identify the potential direct or indirect benefits and who the beneficiaries might be
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.
You can use the upload file function to provide directly relevant excerpts of market research reports. This must be no longer than 10 sides of A4 in Arial 11pt and uploaded as a PDF of no more than 8MB. Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.
References may be included within this section.
Route to market
Word limit: 2,500
How would you deploy your project or innovation in its intended user or market?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how you have designed your approach so that it:
- includes plans for the innovation to reach its intended market or users
- is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives
- includes any commercial milestones
- is feasible and is supported by technical, research or scientific evidence
- comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed
- if applicable, uses a clear and transparent methodology, including a business model
- if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed
- will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts
- identifies any support required post-award to deliver the solution such as access to other networks or further funding
- describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, innovation environment (in terms of the place, its location, reputation, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work
Within this section we also expect you to:
- demonstrate access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment to deliver the proposed work
- provide a detailed and comprehensive project plan, including milestones and timelines in the form of a chart or diagram
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.
Please see our guidance on intellectual property management in the ‘Additional Information’ section.
References may be included within this section.
Intellectual property (IP) management and communication
Word limit: 1,000
What is your IP exploitation plan?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Evidence of your plans to:
- manage the outputs of the project, including any intellectual assets and intellectual property
- have freedom to operate
- protect the foreground IP or market position
- disseminate and communicate the outputs of your project
- access potential future investments, if required
Include any intellectual property rights (IPR) if appropriate. If your IPR is a patent, please include the patent number or numbers along with a summary scope of the claims. We recognise that not all applications to the FoF will have a patent or other IPR.
Additional guidance for applicants with project partners
Project partners seeking pre-negotiated access to foreground intellectual property (IP) must contribute a minimum of 50% total project costs. Project partners seeking to secure the right to negotiate access to foreground IP at the end of the award must contribute a minimum of 10% total project costs. This contribution can be cash or in-kind contribution or a combination of both.
Empty shell companies (no investment, staff, or premises) formed for the sole purpose of commercialising foreground IP generated during the project are exempt from contributing project costs.
Applicants are advised against the direct assignment of foreground IP to a newly formed spin-out company. Instead, option agreements should be utilised until the spin-out has secured enough funding to drive the translation of foreground IP, when a substantive agreement should be executed.
You must clearly justify why your chosen approach is the best for your foreground IP within the relevant sections of the application. We reserve the right to request further information on IP management plans and IP rights of third parties should your application be recommended for funding.
Wider benefits
Word count: 1,400
Beyond the commercial opportunity, what are the potential societal, environmental, and economic benefits of the proposed approach?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
You should:
- explain why public funding is appropriate and essential for the proposed programme of work, including why private investment cannot, or will not enable this
- consider the potential impact on high-level societal challenges, for example: gender equality, diversity, social inclusion, and climate change
- outline any wider economic impacts, for example: job creation, skills, and capacity building
- describe the steps you will take to maximise any potential benefits
Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.
References may be included within this section.
Your organisation’s support
Word limit: 10
Provide details of support from your research organisation.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a statement of support from your research organisation detailing why the proposed work is needed. This should include details of any matched funding that will be provided to support the activity and any additional support that might add value to the work.
The committee will be looking for a strong statement of commitment from your research organisation.
BBSRC recognises that in some instances, this information may be provided by the Research Office, the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) or equivalent, or a combination of both.
You must also include the following details:
- a significant person’s name and their position, from the TTO or Research Office, or both
- office address or web link
Upload details are provided within the Funding Service on the actual application.
Project partners
Add details about any project partners’ contributions. If there are no project partners, you can indicate this on the Funding Service.
A project partner is a collaborating organisation who will have an integral role in the proposed research. This may include direct (cash) or indirect (in-kind) contributions such as expertise, staff time or use of facilities.
Add the following project partner details:
- the organisation name and address (searchable via a drop-down list or enter the organisation’s details manually, as applicable)
- the project partner contact name and email address
- the type of contribution (direct or in-direct) and its monetary value
- for more guidance, refer to the ‘Collaborations’ section of the BBSRC grants guide
If a detail is entered incorrectly and you have saved the entry, remove the specific project partner record and re-add it with the correct information.
Additional guidance for applicants with Project Partners
Project partners seeking pre-negotiated access to foreground intellectual property (IP) must contribute a minimum of 50% total project costs. Project partners seeking to secure the right to negotiate access to foreground IP at the end of the award must contribute a minimum of 10% total project costs. This contribution can be cash or in-kind contribution or a combination of both.
Empty shell companies (no investment, staff, or premises) formed for the sole purpose of commercialising foreground IP generated during the project are exempt from contributing project costs.
Applicants are advised against the direct assignment of foreground IP to a newly formed spin-out company. Instead, option agreements should be utilised until the spin-out has secured enough funding to drive the translation of foreground IP, when a substantive agreement should be executed.
You must clearly justify why your chosen approach is the best for your foreground IP within the relevant sections of the application. We reserve the right to request further information on IP management plans and IP rights of third parties should your application be recommended for funding.
Please use our Project Partner Contribution Calculator (XLSX, 32KB) to check that contributions meet the minimum requirements. This can also be found in the ‘Supporting documents’ section.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Project partners: letters (or emails) of support
Word limit: 500
Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the ‘Project partner’ section.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Enter the words ‘attachment supplied’ in the text box. Each letter or email you provide should:
- confirm the partner’s commitment to the project
- clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
- describe any additional value that they bring to the project
- state if partners wish to access foreground intellectual property (IP) generated during the project
- fully justify project partner contributions. All project partners that propose to make either a cash or in-kind contribution or a combination of both must provide a justification for the value of their planned contributions and summarise how those contributions add value to the overall project.
Applications without project partners must use the text box to clearly articulate how industry, users or both have contributed to the development of the project to date and how they will be engaged in the future progress of the project.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If you do not have any project partners, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the ‘Project partners’ section.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Additional guidance for applicants with Project Partners
Project partners seeking pre-negotiated access to foreground intellectual property (IP) must contribute a minimum of 50% total project costs. Project partners seeking to secure the right to negotiate access to foreground IP at the end of the award must contribute a minimum of 10% total project costs. This contribution can be cash or in-kind contribution or a combination of both.
Empty shell companies (no investment, staff, or premises) formed for the sole purpose of commercialising foreground IP generated during the project are exempt from contributing project costs.
Applicants are advised against the direct assignment of foreground IP to a newly formed spin-out company. Instead, option agreements should be utilised until the spin-out has secured enough funding to drive the translation of foreground IP, when a substantive agreement should be executed.
You must clearly justify why your chosen approach is the best for your foreground IP within the relevant sections of the application. We reserve the right to request further information on IP management plans and IP rights of third parties should your application be recommended for funding.
Please use our Project Partner Contribution Calculator (XLSX, 32KB) to check that contributions meet the minimum requirements. This can also be found in the ‘Supporting documents’ section.
The letter of support should enable the assessment panel to better understand the contribution of the project partner, provide reassurance that the estimates of the values are justified, and show that the contribution will meaningfully support the aims of the project.
BBSRC may decline to accept proposals for assessment where project partners seeking access to foreground IP do not meet the stated thresholds for the project partner contributions. In this circumstance the applicant will be given the opportunity to withdraw the proposal so that it may be submitted to a future Follow-on Fund opportunity when the requirements for project partner contributions can be met.
Applicant and team capability to deliver
Word limit: 1,650
Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
- the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work
- the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work
- the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others
- contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
The word count for this section is 1,650 words: 1,150 words to be used for R4RI modules and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.
Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
- contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
- the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
- contributions to the wider research and innovation community
- contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit
Additions
Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).
Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
References may be included within this section. A 10% additional word count has been provided to accommodate this.
UKRI has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new Funding Service. For full details, see Eligibility as an individual.
Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
Word limit: 700
What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Using the text box below, demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations, and how you will manage them. This includes any environmental, societal or equity, diversity and inclusion impact.
If you are collecting or using data you should identify:
- any legal and ethical considerations of collecting, releasing or storing the data including consent, confidentiality, anonymisation, security and other ethical considerations and, in particular, strategies taken to not preclude further reuse of data
- formal information standards with which study will be compliant
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.
Genetic and biological risk
Word limit: 700
Does your proposed research involve any genetic or biological risk?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
In respect of animals, plants or microbes, are you proposing to:
- use genetic modification as an experimental tool, like studying gene function in a genetically modified organism
- release genetically modified organisms
- ultimately develop commercial and industrial genetically modified outcomes
If yes, provide the name of any required approving body and state if approval is already in place. If it is not, provide an indicative timeframe for obtaining the required approval.
Identify the organism or organisms as a plant, animal or microbe and specify the species and which of the three categories the research relates to.
Identify the genetic and biological risks resulting from the proposed research, their implications, and any mitigation you plan on taking. Assessors will want to know you have considered the risks and their implications to justify that any identified risks do not outweigh any benefits of the proposed research.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving the use of animals
Word limit: 10
Does your proposed research involve the use of vertebrate animals or other organisms covered by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing research that requires using animals, download and complete the Animals Scientific Procedures Act template (DOCX, 74KB), which contains all the questions relating to research using vertebrate animals or other Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulated organisms.
Save it as a PDF. The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Conducting research with animals overseas
Word limit: 10
Will any of the proposed animal research be conducted overseas?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing to conduct overseas research, it must be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with those in the UK, as in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research, page 14.
Ensure all named applicants in the UK and overseas are aware of this requirement. Provide a statement to confirm that:
- all named applicants are aware of the requirements and have agreed to abide by them
- this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation
- the expectation set out in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research will be applied and maintained
- appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place
Overseas studies proposing to use non-human primates, cats, dogs, equines or pigs will be assessed during NC3Rs review of research applications. Provide the required information by completing the template from the question ‘Research involving the use of animals’.
For studies involving other species, select, download, and complete the relevant Word checklist or checklists from this list:
Save as a PDF. If you use more than one checklist, save it as a single PDF.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving human participation
Word limit: 700
Will the project involve the use of human subjects or their personal information?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing research that requires the involvement of human subjects, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the number and the diversity of the participants involved, as well as any procedures.
Provide details of any areas of substantial or moderate severity of impact.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Research involving human tissues or biological samples
Word limit: 700
Does your proposed research involve the use of human tissues, or biological samples?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you are proposing work that involves human tissues or biological samples, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.
Justify the use of human tissue or biological samples specifying the nature and quantity of the material to be used and its source.
If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Data management and sharing
Word limit: 700
How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a data management plan that clearly details how you will comply with UKRI’s published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.
Resources and cost justification
Word limit: 2,000
What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular:
- project staff
- significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences)
- any equipment that will cost more than £10,000
- any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities
- all facilities and infrastructure costs
- all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’
Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources. Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:
- are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
- represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
- maximise potential outcomes and impacts
Facilities
Word limit: 700
Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you will need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility’s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
For each requested facility you will need to provide the:
- name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 35KB)
- proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list
- confirmation you have their agreement where required
Facilities should only be named if they are on the facility information list above. If you will not need to use a facility, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
Trusted Research and Innovation
Word limit: 100
Does the proposed work involve international collaboration in a sensitive research or technology area?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Demonstrate how your proposed international collaboration relates to Trusted Research and Innovation, including:
- list the countries your international project co-leads, project partners and visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in
- if international collaboration is involved, explain whether this project is relevant to one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act
- if one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act are involved list the areas
If your proposed work does not involve international collaboration, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.
We may ask you to provide additional information about how your proposed project will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help manage these risks.
