Awards can be used to fund the following collaborative activities in emerging areas of science relevant to BBSRC’s strategic priorities:
- travel for one or more investigators in either direction
- visits and access to facilities
- scoping studies
- workshops and networking
- researcher exchanges
- other collaborative activities.
Collaborative activities are not limited to the principal investigator and we encourage the involvement of early career researchers. Partnering award funds can also be used to support student exchanges however, applications will not be accepted where this is the primary aim of the project.
It is acceptable for the proposed partnering award to outlast the associated research grant however the associated BBSRC grant must have started before the application deadline and must have at least six months remaining from the start of the award.
As partnering awards are based on currently-funded BBSRC research, they are not a vehicle for supporting single research projects and partnering awards cannot be used to fund:
- salary costs
- consumables
- items of equipment
- other research costs
- conference attendance.*
*For convenience and cost efficiency BBSRC does allow award holders to arrange collaborative meetings alongside conferences at which their partners are already present. However the award funds cannot be used to pay for the additional conference accommodation and costs such as registration.
Please note that the funding should be seen as a pump-priming award and that research groups will be expected to access other sources of funding. This could include a monetary contribution from the applicant’s institution or department or an in-kind contribution such as venue hire or accommodation costs.
Highlight notices
International partnering award applications are particularly welcomed in the following highlight areas.
Global highlight: International partnerships fostering a One Health approach to diseases of zoonotic origin
Zoonotic diseases are capable of passing from animals to humans. The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that six out of every 10 infectious diseases in people are zoonotic and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. As well as threatening human and animal health, zoonoses affect livestock production, causing economic and social harm globally.
In response to the threat, this highlight will support international partnerships with any country that develop research projects and capability taking a One Health approach for improving our resilience to zoonotic diseases, which have the potential to cause significant social or economic impact. Applicants should explain the potential social or economic impact of their research in their case for support.
Applicants should also be aware of another related BBSRC funding opportunity.
Transformative Research Technologies for the Detection and Diagnosis of Plant and Animal Diseases
This tools and resources development fund, which closed on 8 October 2020, is for applicants intending on developing technologies that will lead to a step change in the ability of researchers to investigate UK plant and animal health problems caused by endemic or emerging pathogens or pests.
View this funding opportunity
Global highlight: International Year of Plant Health – Partnerships which foster collaboration to protect and enhance plant health.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH).
The UN describes IYPH as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.”
Pests, diseases and weeds are major contributors to inefficiencies in agricultural production and pose serious and continuing threats to global food and nutrition security.
Current control regimes face widespread resistance, environmental change is impacting on the spread of threats and some emerging and under researched pests and diseases lack effective control options.
In response to this threat, this highlight supports international partnerships that develop research and capability to protect and enhance plant health.
This highlight is a global highlight and is open to partnerships with any country. BBSRC particularly encourages applications under this highlight with the following countries:
Applicants should also be aware of another related BBSRC funding opportunity.
Transformative Research Technologies for the Detection and Diagnosis of Plant and Animal Diseases
This tools and resources development fund, which closed on 8 October 2020, is for applicants intending on developing technologies that will lead to a step change in the ability of researchers to investigate UK plant and animal health problems caused by endemic or emerging pathogens or pests.
View this funding opportunity