BBSRC Early Independence Fellowships

The BBSRC Early Independence Fellowships is a funded postdoctoral fellowship programme in bioscience, aimed at researchers who are not yet independent and want to establish their own group. The 2026 round has a funding pot of £9 million and welcomes international applicants hosted at UK research organisations. Each award covers personal salary, travel, training, consumables, technician time for specialist skills, and visa costs, with roughly 15 three-year fellowships anticipated.

Salary support for the fellow, travel and training funds, consumables, technician time, and visa costs

Applicants must not already be independent and may include Researchers who are not yet leading their own group; international applicants may apply provided the hosting organisation is UK eligible for BBSRC funding.

Outline stage required with a 750-word vision, a 1,500-word approach, and a 1,650-word capability statement; shortlisted candidates will be invited to a full application