The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), one of seven research councils in the UK, is the leading funding agency for academic research 
and training in the biosciences at universities and institutes. BBSRC receives most of its money through the Government's Office of Science and Technology. 
 
BBSRC funds research in seven major areas: Agri-food; Animal sciences; Biochemistry and cell biology; Biomolecular sciences; Engineering and biological 
systems; Genes and developmental biology; Plant and microbial sciences. 
BBSRC supports over 5000 researchers and research students at universities throughout the UK, and at the eight BBSRC-sponsored institutes: Babraham Institute; 
Institute for Animal Health; Institute of Food Research; Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research; John Innes Centre; Roslin Institute; Rothamsted 
Research; Silsoe Research Institute. 
BBSRC supports a number of schemes aimed at improving industrial uptake of new science. Collaborative research is encouraged through the LINK scheme (where 
the industrial contribution is 50% of total costs) and the Industrial Partnerships Scheme where the contribution is less. Nine LINK programmes are currently 
supported by BBSRC.  
They also support collaboration in industrial training through Industrial CASE studentships where the company itself selects the academic partner to 
ensure that the research project is aligned to its own interests.