BBSRC strategically invests £75 million per year in eight specialist institutes that provide national capability and expertise in important areas of research.
The institutes deliver innovative, world-class bioscience research and training, leading to wealth and job creation, generating high returns for the UK economy. They also have strong links with business and the wider community, and support policy development.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) eight strategically funded institutes are:
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University
- Babraham Institute
- Earlham Institute
- John Innes Centre
- Pirbright Institute
- Quadram Institute
- Roslin Institute
- Rothamsted Research.
BBSRC has key responsibilities for the long-term investment of substantial public funds in these institutes. Given recent changes in the research and policy landscape, they considered it timely to review its strategy in relation to the institutes it supports.
With guidance and involvement of its Council, BBSRC developed a high-level strategy that sets out its approach to supporting and working in partnership with institutes.
10 overarching principles frame the future
For the institutes, these principles address their:
- unique national capability and strategic purpose
- excellence in leadership and management
- role in training and developing a positive, inclusive and diverse research culture
- convening and catalysing, both nationally and internationally.
For BBSRC, the principles reflect the need for a funding model that facilitates collaboration, while at the same time providing flexibility for institutes to respond to changes in national strategy and emerging need.
Capability, connectivity and culture
Three themes underpin the principles for strategic investment:
- capability
- connectivity
- culture.
For each of these themes, strategic objectives have been set out and key opportunities for future development and delivery articulated.
The principles and themes set out in the strategy will act as a reference framework. They will guide BBSRC’s approach to future rounds of strategic investment in these specialist institutes and the ways that it works in partnership.
Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of BBSRC says:
Our vision is for a portfolio of vibrant, dynamic, and diverse bioscience National Capabilities with deep connections across the research and innovation ecosystem. This strategy provides the framework on which we will realise this vision, working closely with our institutes.
Further information
Read the institute strategy (PDF, 16MB).
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