Area of investment and support

Area of investment and support: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Follow-on Fund

The BBSRC Follow-on Fund (FoF) is designed to support the translation of fundamental research into practical application, including commercialisation. We want to ensure that innovation arising from BBSRC-funded research has the best opportunity to create positive impacts for society.

Duration:
The FoF has two funding rounds per year.
Partners involved:
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

The scope and what we're doing

Our FoF is designed to support the translation of fundamental research funded by BBSRC into practical application, including commercialisation.

We invest in excellent fundamental bioscience research, making the UK a world leader in this field. We want to ensure that innovation arising from BBSRC-funded research has the best opportunity of creating a positive economic and social impact now and in the future.

BBSRC currently supports two types of award through the FoF programme.

Standard BBSRC eligibility rules apply. See the BBSRC research grants guide for details.

Standard FoF awards

These are to enable researchers to execute a defined programme of work up to two years in length that has clearly defined objectives. Researchers must have a sound understanding of the market opportunity of their intellectual assets.

Applications for standard FoFs are assessed by an independent panel.

Funding for up to two years:

  • minimum £76,000
  • maximum £250,000 (full economic cost).

Super FoF awards

These are similar to standard awards but differ in that they are seeking a higher level of requested funding investment from BBSRC.

Prior to the panel stage, super FoFs are also reviewed by experts with relevant experience, some of whom may be peers, to provide further assurance.

Sufficient and appropriate reviewers will be sourced to fairly assess each application. Applicants for super FoFs will not be asked to nominate reviewers.

Funding for up to two years:

  • minimum £251,000
  • maximum £800,000 (full economic cost).

Why we're doing it

FoF aims to fill that gap and support proof-of-concept work to a point where the route to application, including commercialisation, is clear.

FoF supports activity that will enable translation of previous BBSRC-funded research. For example, it might be used to scale up a process to demonstrate viability at industrial scale or to develop a prototype. At the end of the project, a route to application should be clear. This could include development of a spin-out company, social enterprise or a licensing agreement.

A FoF grant enables researchers who have a sound understanding of the market opportunity for their intellectual assets to execute a defined programme, which has clearly defined and complementary technical and business plan development milestones.

Aims

BBSRC FoFs (whether standard or super FoFs) specifically aim to:

  • increase and accelerate the uptake and practical application of past bioscience research outputs to deliver benefit and impact
  • enable researchers to further develop their understanding of potential routes to impact, including identifying opportunities and markets, and engaging directly with key stakeholders, customers, enablers and users
  • support translation activities, including collaborative projects with industry, the third sector and other users
  • enable researchers to develop their enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and capabilities.

Opportunities, support and resources available

Funding opportunities

BBSRC follow-on funding
BBSRC follow-on fund and super follow-on fund

2022 to 2023 funding opportunity dates

2023 round one

Opening date: 25 January 2023
Closing date: 21 March 2023
Panel meeting: to be confirmed

2023 round two

Opening date: 9 August 2023
Closing date: 4 October 2023
Panel meeting: to be confirmed

News

BBSRC announces funding awards for four new biology projects

Past projects, outcomes and impact

Who to contact

Governance, management and panels

Committee membership

Dr Amanda Wooding (Chair), Cambridge Enterprise
Dr Erica Bickerton, The Pirbright Institute
Dr Neil Dixon, University of Manchester
Dr Eric Ober, National Institute of Agricultural Botany
Professor Olena Doran, University of The West of England, Bristol
Dr Richard Auburn, Oxford University Innovation
Dr Jen Vanderhoven, FREY Consulting
Dr Hugo Campos, International Potato Center
Professor Christopher Baker, Rothamsted Research
Dr Catherine Breslin, University of Strathclyde
Dr Jonathan Clarke, John Innes Centre
Professor Julian Gough, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Dr John Heap, University of Nottingham
Dr Steve Kendrew, GSK
Dr Geraint Lewis, Newcastle University
Dr Siân Ringrose, AquaBioTech
Dr Liliya Serazetdinova, Earlham Institute
Professor Jo Slater-Jefferies, University of Southampton, National Biofilms Innovation Centre
Mr Hassan Mahmudal, UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, Future Planet Capital

Last updated: 27 April 2023

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