Research and innovation infrastructure
Access to cutting-edge infrastructure is a fundamental enabler for the research and innovation ecosystem. This includes the equipment, facilities, resources, and services used by research and innovation communities and businesses to conduct research, foster innovation and deliver real-world impacts. Infrastructure can take many forms, from national facilities offering globally unique capabilities through to the instruments and services operated by local facilities across the nation.
Below is a selection of case studies demonstrating the breadth of infrastructure we support, in line with BBSRC’s infrastructure strategic framework, including:
- digital research infrastructure. Over the last few decades, rapid improvements in the availability, sensitivity and throughput of technology used in research, coupled with advances in computer science and AI, have resulted in a huge increase in the volume and complexity of bioscience data generated. Researchers require ever more effective ways to track, store, process, use and re-use this information, helping them to maximise the benefits and impacts from their work.
- strategically supported institutes. These institutes provide national capabilities, world-leading expertise and leadership, acting as a nucleus for national and international collaboration. Their research programmes and facilities underpin key sectors of the UK economy and help generate wealth and job creation across a broad range of industry sectors.
- research and innovation campuses. These BBSRC and Science and Technology Facilities Council campuses build ecosystems centred around areas of research and innovation excellence. The campuses offer unique environments where companies can access and collaborate with specialist facilities and research expertise, thereby fostering early-stage innovation, attracting private investment, and accelerating excellent research into tangible social and economic benefits.
Above A map detailing UKRI campuses, the BBSRC institutes, and the BBSRC ‘footprint’ at Sci-Tech Daresbury (through BioBIC)
Above A map detailing UKRI campuses, the BBSRC institutes, and the BBSRC ‘footprint’ at Sci-Tech Daresbury (through BioBIC)
Babraham’s economic impact
25 years ago, the Babraham Institute (BI) launched the Babraham BioIncubator to support early-stage life science companies. It has now evolved into the Babraham Research Campus (BRC).
“Our Campus provides a dynamic environment where cutting-edge academic and commercial research plus entrepreneurial spirit come together to advance discoveries that improve health outcomes, benefit society, and contribute to economic development in the UK.” – Derek Jones, CEO of BRC.
The BRC is the result of a partnership between BBSRC, BI and Babraham Research Campus Ltd (BRCL), the latter of which manages the campus. It has fostered an ecosystem and infrastructure for institute-industry collaboration, start-ups, and investment.
A 2023/24 impact report conducted by Cambridge Economic Associates found:
- the BRC is now home to 65 organisations, employing 9,400 people in the UK, with 2,000 on campus
- the BRC contributes £538 million a year to the local economy
- its companies are worth over £3.15 billion, achieving £1.6 billion in commercial investment
- locating businesses on the campus accelerates discoveries by 6 months. Fundraising is also accelerated by 6 months
“We're proud to be a core contributor to what makes the Campus such a unique and fruitful environment and look forward to continuing to work very closely with our campus community to support innovative life science research that will improve lives.” – Simon Cook, Director of the Babraham Institute
Above The BRC was launched to support early-stage life science companies Credit The Babraham Institute
Above The BRC was launched to support early-stage life science companies Credit The Babraham Institute
BBSRC ALERT: funding capital equipment
The Advanced Life Sciences Research Technologies (ALERT) fund provides targeted support for mid-range equipment for bioscience research, with the aim of enhancing institutional and regional capabilities. Introduced in 2013, ALERT has invested £144 million in 288 ALERT awards across 54 research organisations. In addition to supporting the community’s equipment needs, ALERT has enabled BBSRC to highlight the vital role of research technical professionals (RTPs) in enabling research. BBSRC has sought to raise the profile of RTPs and the number of applications from eligible technical staff as either project lead or co-lead has grown over the years.
About BBSRC
As the UK’s major public funder of world-leading bioscience research and innovation, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) vision is to advance the frontiers of biology and drive towards a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
Some of the institutions key to meeting this vision are BBSRC’s strategic partnerships with universities, of which there are 15. Also mission critical are the 8 specialist bioscience research institutes that BBSRC strategically funds:
- Babraham Institute
- Earlham Institute
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
- John Innes Centre
- The Pirbright Institute
- Quadram Institute
- The Roslin Institute
- Rothamsted Research
Find out more about BBSRC’s work and strategic priorities by reading our Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-2025.
Contact us
Impact narratives and case studies provide an important evidence base to support the case for continued investment in world-class bioscience.
Get in touch with us to discuss BBSRC’s research outcomes and impacts or to tell us about your own:
Emma Lambourne, Senior Manager, Impact Evidence
emma.lambourne@bbsrc.ukri.org
Rosie Ford, Manager, Impact Evidence
rosie.ford@bbsrc.ukri.org
Dr Beverley Thomas, Associate Director, Evidence and Evaluation
beverley.thomas@bbsrc.ukri.org
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
UK Research and Innovation, Polaris House, Swindon, SN2 1FL
