An overview of our work
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is pioneering in its approach to enhancing the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) of talented individuals within the bioscience research and innovation community, through all its strategies, programmes and processes. We value and promote an inclusive research community where diverse talent is used to advance discovery, develop skills and knowledge, and drive innovation in the UK.
EDI is embedded within the UKRI Strategy 2026 to 2031 and in the Forward Look for UK Bioscience, where we set out our commitment to enabling trusted and inclusive bioscience that fosters a positive research culture.
BBSRC’s key priorities for 2026 to 2028
Our EDI action plan was refreshed in 2026 and sets out why EDI matters to BBSRC, our key challenges, approach and priorities.
Our EDI priorities are grouped into four themes:
- Theme 1: Continuously learning and improving how we work
- Theme 2: Ensuring accessibility to all our activities and programmes
- Theme 3: Diversifying career pathways into and through the biosciences
- Theme 4: Leading for biosciences as part of contributions to wider UKRI challenges
Find out more about our EDI priorities
Our diversity data
UKRI publishes harmonised diversity data for all research councils, including BBSRC.
The dataset contains data on four protected characteristics (sex, age, ethnicity, and disability) for:
- project lead and co-lead grant applicants and awardees
- fellowship applicants and awardees
- PhD studentships
Find out more and access the diversity data.
BBSRC also gather the same data on:
- strategy advisory panels (SAP) and subgroups
- peer reviewers
- committee chairs and attendees
- pool of experts members and applicants
We are committed to ensuring that the best researchers from a diverse population are attracted into research careers and supporting these careers. We will ensure our funding mechanisms and processes do not present any potential barriers and bias to funding. We will ensure that people who are engaged with the processes operate these fairly and without prejudice or bias.
We will be transparent and accountable to whom and how we fund research. We will continue our work to achieve diversity in the membership of BBSRC Council, strategy advisory panels and research committees.
EDI Expert Advisory Group
We receive strategic advice and guidance from our EDI Expert Advisory Group on our approach to improving EDI in the biosciences.
Find out more about the BBSRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group.
Contact
BBSRC EDI team
Email: bbsrc_edi@bbsrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 15 September 2026