Mid-range equipment for biosciences research: ALERT 2026

What the assessor looks for

• is timely, given current trends and context
• delivers an unmet need
• meets community demand and need from a diverse and inclusive user base
• enhances and complements existing research capability at a local, regional, or national scale
• meets the strategic aims of BBSRC, UKRI or the government

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• enable high quality, novel or transformative research with the potential to generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area
• offer training opportunities for the wider community
• have measurable impact beyond the immediate team, including on world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment
• be of international importance (if applicable)
• enhance the UK’s research and innovation capabilities through local, regional or national activity

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• is feasible, identifying any risks to delivery and citing appropriate mitigation
• provides details of access and usage estimates, particularly where a culture of equipment sharing may extend use to external users
• considers the user perspective and their needs, including how feedback will be sought and subsequently used to inform the management of the resource
• provides long-term technical support which will be available for the requested equipment
• provides training and development of technical staff
• describes how the research environment (in terms of the place, its location, complementary expertise, facilities and relevance to the proposal) will contribute to the successful utilisation of the equipment

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• is as economically, environmentally and socially sustainable as possible
• will have its lifetime maximised, including stating what the expected lifetime is and, where relevant, how the asset will be sustainably decommissioned
• how long-term operational and maintenance costs, including staffing, will be supported
• how the proposed equipment will be integrated into an existing service, facility, equipment pool, or similar
• how the proposed equipment will contribute to UKRI or host institute carbon reduction targets
• if relevant, how the proposed equipment contributes to a broader approach to environmental sustainability, such an enhancing biodiversity or clean air, as well as reducing carbon emissions
• your plans for sustainability and legacy beyond the end of award period. These could include cost recovery models, securing additional funding, development or expansion after the initial period of funding
• how you have considered equality, diversity and inclusion, including equitable access, in the design and planned use of the equipment to maximise benefit to the UK bioscience community

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage)
• the right balance of skills and expertise
• the appropriate leadership and management skills and your approach to develop others
• contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community
• contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
• the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
• contributions to the wider research and innovation community
• contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• details of the equipment requested
• details of the service or maintenance service requested (if applicable)
• details of any cash contributions to the equipment from other sources
• reasons for choosing a quoted equipment (versus other quotes)
• reasons for requesting a particular specification of equipment or a particular manufacturer
• are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
• represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
• maximise potential outcomes and impacts

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• the relevant ethical and RRI considerations, including both the research or topic area itself and the design and delivery of the project
• the wider implications of the proposed work, and how you will maximise the positive societal, environmental, and economic benefits arising from the project, whilst minimising unintended negative impacts, such as research misuse or accidental harm
• how you will manage these considerations throughout the lifecycle of the project

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• their position or role
• the department, school or institute they lead
• their contact details

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• confirm the partner’s commitment to the project
• clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
• describe any additional value that they bring to the project
• have a page limit of one side of A4 per partner

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.

What the assessor looks for

• any legal and ethical considerations relating to the collection, storage and sharing of data, including consent confidentiality, anonymisation, and measure to maximize future data reuse
• any formal information standards with which the proposed work will comply

A filled dot only means your answer mentions that ground. It is not a judgement of how well.