Part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK’s major public funder of world-leading bioscience research and innovation. We act as a steward and enabler for UK bioscience.
Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges. These include the need for sustainable food production, climate change and ageing populations.
BBSRC forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies and partnerships on a global scale.
Our vision is to harness the power of bioscience to deliver a healthy, sustainable and resilient future, where the:
- new discoveries we enable provide a strong platform from which better outcomes for society can be generated both now and in the future
- technological advances that our community create are deployed effectively and with agility to deliver beneficial change
- channels between discovery and its application are clear and unencumbered
Read the BBSRC forward look: the power of bioscience to find out more about our long-term vision, ambition and commitments for UK bioscience.
Read about the actions we will take to support our vision and ambitions for UK bioscience in BBSRC’s strategic delivery plan. Our delivery plans are set in the context of budget allocations and UKRI’s strategy.
Our history and mission
BBSRC was established by Royal Charter in 1994 by incorporation of the former Agricultural and Food Research Council with the biotechnology and biological sciences programmes of the former Science and Engineering Research Council. In April 2018 BBSRC became part of UKRI.
BBSRC’s mission is to:
- promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems
- advance knowledge and technology (including the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes)
- provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs of users and beneficiaries (including the agriculture, bioprocessing, chemical, food, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other biotechnological related industries)
In relation to the council’s activities, and as the council may see fit, we will:
- generate public awareness
- communicate research outcomes
- encourage public engagement and dialogue
- disseminate knowledge
