2026 to 2027 strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa): full stage

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), under UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is soliciting proposals for the 2026 to 2027 Strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) program. This initiative funds large-scale, team-based, curiosity-driven bioscience discovery research projects aimed at achieving major breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of living systems. Eligible projects must utilize a fully integrated team science approach, demonstrate a need for extended and large-scale funding, and enhance the overall capability and capacity of UK biosciences. Projects can last up to five years, and the full economic cost must exceed 2 million pounds, with BBSRC providing 80 percent of that cost. The selection process is conducted in two stages. The outline stage opened on April 16, 2026, and closed on June 25, 2026, with evaluations based on vision, approach, and team capability. Successful outline applicants are invited to the full stage, which opened on November 5, 2026, and closed on February 9, 2027. Full proposals are evaluated via external peer review and a multidisciplinary panel, focusing on management strategy and strategic case. Final funding recommendations are made by the Strategic LoLa Committee following an interview process with the highest-rated teams. All applications are managed through the UKRI Funding Service.