UK Research and Innovation, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Mid-range equipment for biosciences research: ALERT 2026

BBSRC's ALERT 2026 funds a single piece of mid-range, multi-user research equipment across BBSRC's scientific remit, at £200,000 to £1.5 million full economic cost, funded at 100%. It is an equipment-only grant for UK research organisations eligible for BBSRC funding, with awards lasting 12 months and starting by 3 August 2027. Research technical professionals are encouraged to lead, and each organisation may submit at most three applications.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £200,000 – £1,500,000
Deadline: 84 days left; 14 January
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

UK research organisations with standard UKRI/BBSRC eligibility; the project lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation and meet UKRI individual eligibility
Research technical professionals can be project lead or co-lead if their post is centrally funded and their contract extends beyond the project
Each organisation may submit a maximum of three applications; an individual may be project lead on one application and co-lead on one other
Collaborations between research organisations must be submitted as one application by the lead organisation
International researchers cannot apply but can be project partners or collaborators

What it funds

One piece of mid-range equipment for research within BBSRC's remit, that is widely used and well supported and promotes access, collaboration and sharing, including:

Equipment that will be widely used and underpins capability for scientific areas within BBSRC's remit
Equipment that promotes collaboration and increased access for users in industry and other public sector institutions
Emerging research technologies or the use of equipment in new ways
Equipment that upgrades or replaces existing 'workhorse' equipment
Multi-component pipelines or platforms (eligibility must be checked with BBSRC before submission)
One-off installation costs and service maintenance contracts of up to three years that are part of the manufacturer's offer, paid within the grant
Refurbishment or installation costs critical to the proper functioning of the equipment (for example a ventilation system or cold room), itemised and justified

costs must be requested only under 'Exceptions – equipment'; amounts include VAT if applicable; equipment must be on the market at submission.

What it will not fund

Applications where the principal beneficiaries are outside BBSRC remit or outside the UK
Any costs other than capital funding and associated maintenance (for example running costs, staff costs, consumables, estate, and indirect costs)
Total costs below £200,000 or above £1.5 million (including VAT)
Applications exceeding 12 months in duration
Single-user or single-project equipment
Unsolicited resubmissions of applications previously considered by BBSRC or any other funder
Applications similar to another currently under assessment by another funder
Applications where additional contributions depend on outcomes of other funding applications still under consideration
Multi-component applications that do not meet the pipeline or platform definition
Common elements of a well-found laboratory (such as centrifuges, fridges, incubators)
Equipment scheduled for market release after 14 January 2027
Technology development
General maintenance costs or depreciation costs
Separately negotiated service contracts

How to apply

Contact your research office early, as organisations must prioritise up to three submissions
Check eligibility of any pipeline or platform with bbsrcalert@bbsrc.ukri.org before submission
Obtain three equipment quotes, from multiple suppliers where possible
Start an application on the UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S), confirming you are project lead and signing in or creating an account
Answer the application questions (summary, core team, purpose, vision, approach, sustainability, applicant and team capability in R4RI format, resources and costs, ethics and RRI)
Send the completed application to your research office for checking; the research office submits it to UKRI by 14 January 2027, 4:00pm UK time

a webinar for potential applicants is held on 4 November 2026 at 11:00am UK time. Applications are assessed by an expert panel without external review.

Have ready

Equipment classification table (template supplied), pasted into the Purpose section
Cost summary table (template supplied), pasted into the Resources and costs section, matching your equipment quotes
Three equipment quotes (not attached, but may be requested before award)
Gantt chart or similar timeline for procurement, installation, deployment and training
Diagram or schematic for multi-component pipelines or platforms
Letters of support from project partners (suppliers, manufacturers or industrial partners with an integral role)

animal, genetically modified organism and human participation sections may require further question sets to be uploaded.

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