The Connecting Culture Fund supports projects that enhance research culture at BBSRC strategically supported institutes. This funding opportunity is invitation-only and is aimed at BBSRC strategically funded institutes, which must lead or co-lead the application. Other eligible research organisations may be involved as project partners or collaborators.

Overview

The objectives of the Connecting Culture Fund are to support BBSRC-sponsored institutes in fostering cross-institutional activities and practice-sharing to further their research culture ambitions, and to support knowledge exchange between institutes and other research organisations on what works in research culture within biosciences.

Funding and Benefits

• Total fund: £309,000
• Award range: £5,000 to £100,000
• Funding type: Grant
• The full economic cost (FEC) of a project can be up to £100,000. BBSRC will fund 100% of the FEC.
• Projects can be between three and 12 months in length.
• There is no requirement for matched funding from the institutions hosting the project lead, project co-leads, or other staff employed on the application.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Only applicants who have been invited may apply. The following BBSRC strategically funded institutes are eligible to lead or co-lead an application:

• Babraham Institute
• Earlham Institute
• Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
• John Innes Centre
• The Pirbright Institute
• Quadram Institute
• The Roslin Institute
• Rothamsted Research

Organisations not listed that wish to be collaborators or project partners are encouraged to contact the BBSRC office at connectingculture@bbsrc.ukri.org. For research institutes based at a university (Roslin Institute and Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences), the lead organisation will be the University of Edinburgh and Aberystwyth University respectively.

Scope and Activities

Funding may be used flexibly depending on the needs of the organisation. Examples of potential outputs include:

• Sharing of resources already developed, or the co-creation of new ones across multiple institutes
• Cross-institutional culture days for staff and students
• New or strengthened collaborations with other organisations around research culture activities, including joint events, training, or initiatives
• Commissioning small projects aimed at gathering examples of best practice on what works well in research culture at institutes or elsewhere

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. The project lead is responsible for completing the application process, though all team members and project partners are expected to contribute. Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.

Applicants must answer questions directly in the Funding Service, including sections on Vision, Approach, Applicant and Team Capability, Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation, Resources and Cost Justification, and Organisation Support. Detailed guidance and word limits for each section are provided within the application system.

Deadline and Timeline

• Publication date: 24 July 2026
• Opening date: 27 July 2026, 9:00am UK time
• Closing date: 30 September 2027, 4:00pm UK time

Contact Information

For questions related to this specific funding opportunity, contact: connectingculture@bbsrc.ukri.org

For system or submission queries, contact the helpdesk:
Email: support@funding-service.ukri.org
Phone: 01793 547490
Phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.