BBSRC Mid-Range Equipment for Biosciences Research (ALERT 2026)

About this opportunity

BBSRC's ALERT 2026 call helps UK research organisations buy mid-range equipment for research across the biosciences. It is an equipment-only grant: each application must request a single piece of equipment that will be widely used and well supported, and that promotes access, collaboration and sharing between researchers.

Awards range from £200,000 to £1.5 million, from a total budget of £13 million, and BBSRC pays 100% of the full economic cost. Each award lasts 12 months and must start by 3 August 2027. The call opens on 22 October 2026 at 9:00am UK time and closes on 14 January 2027 at 4:00pm UK time.

This is an opportunity for institutions rather than individuals: applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. Research technical professionals can lead or co-lead an application. Each organisation can submit at most three applications, so BBSRC encourages institutions to prioritise their strongest proposals internally and advises potential applicants to talk to their research office early. Organisations outside the UK cannot apply.

Purpose & benefits

• £200,000 to £1.5 million towards a single piece of research equipment.
• BBSRC funds 100% of the full economic cost.
• Total fund: £13 million.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding.
• Research technical professionals can be project lead or co-lead.
• Each organisation can submit no more than three applications.

• Nationality: see the requirements below or the official guidelines.
• Where it takes place: United Kingdom.
• Field of study or work: Biosciences within BBSRC’s remit

Citizenship requirements

Open to UK research organisations eligible for BBSRC funding; no individual nationality requirement is stated.

Who should consider applying

UK universities and research institutes in the biosciences that need a shared, mid-range instrument, and the research technical professionals who would run it.

Important restrictions

• Equipment only, and one item per application.
• Not open to organisations outside the UK.
• Maximum three applications per organisation.
• Awards last 12 months and must start by 3 August 2027.

How to apply

1. Contact your research office early — your organisation may select which applications go forward (maximum three).
2. When the call opens on 22 October 2026, start the application from the official UKRI page on the UKRI Funding Service.
3. Submit through your research organisation before 14 January 2027, 4:00pm UK time.

Preparing a strong application

• Show that the equipment will be widely used across groups and well supported technically.
• Describe how access will be shared and how it promotes collaboration.
• Keep the request to a single item within the £200,000–£1.5 million range.