Our mission and history

Mission

To promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems.

To advance knowledge and technology (including the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes), and provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs of users and beneficiaries (including the agriculture, bioprocessing, chemical, food, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other biotechnological related industries), thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom and the quality of life.

In relation to the Council's activities, and as the Council may see fit, to:

Generate public awareness
Communicate research outcomes
Encourage public engagement and dialogue
Disseminate knowledge

History

Research Councils were reorganised following the 1993 Government White Paper "Realising our Potential".

BBSRC was established by Royal Charter in 1994 by incorporation of the former Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) with the biotechnology and biological sciences programmes of the former Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC). BBSRC is a non-departmental public body.

Chairs and Chief Executives

Chair	Chief Executive
Sir Alistair Grant (1994-1998)	Prof (now Sir) Tom Blundell FRS (1994 -1996)
Dr Peter Doyle CBE (1998-2003)	Prof Ray Baker CBE (1996-2002)
Dr Peter Ringrose (2003-2009)	Prof (now Dame) Julia Goodfellow CBE (2002-2007)
Prof Sir Tom Blundell FRS (2009-present)	Prof Douglas Kell (2008-present)

Contact

External Relations Unit
external.relations@bbsrc.ac.uk