In light of the profound transformations currently shaping global academia and research, it has become clear that the future of science increasingly depends on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational technologies across all disciplines. Research is no longer confined to traditional laboratories or costly experiments; every researcher, university, and faculty must now acquire the computational skillset necessary to accurately interpret results, analyze data, and enhance scientific output.
Against this backdrop, the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) is proud to launch its Capacity Building Grants, enabling universities and research institutions worldwide to participate in the Professional Diploma in Computational Chemistry 2026. This initiative represents a strategic step towards empowering researchers and cultivating a new generation capable of contributing competitively on the global stage.

Vision of UKABCS 

Through this initiative, the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) seeks to strengthen institutional academic and research capacity at the international level, foster cross-border scientific collaboration, and empower researchers across diverse disciplines.

This programme is not merely designed to provide technical training in computational chemistry and drug design; rather, it aims to embed a new academic culture within universities and scientific communities, where computational methods become a natural extension of research across all disciplines.The Association’s vision is built upon:

• Embedding computational approaches as a core element of research across all disciplines.
• Creating a sustainable academic environment that supports innovation and accelerates discovery.
• Enhancing international collaboration between universities and researchers across the Global North and South.
• Enabling non-profit organizations and scientific societies to benefit from the programme, ensuring inclusivity.
• Improving the quality of scientific research outputs, positioning universities as globally competitive institutions.

Programme Benefits & Objectives 

This programme represents a strategic investment in strengthening the research and academic capacity of institutions. It does not only equip researchers with technical skills, but also ensures the sustainable transfer of knowledge at the institutional level. Through this model, universities are empowered to develop their research teams and achieve measurable outcomes that enhance their reputation both locally and internationally.Key benefits and objectives include:

• Enhancing research quality: Improving the accuracy of scientific interpretation and analysis.
• Reducing costs: Minimising reliance on costly laboratory experiments and material resources.
• Accelerating discoveries: Shortening the research cycle from concept to publication.
• Institutional empowerment: Embedding computational expertise as a core capacity within universities.
• Global integration: Enabling researchers to actively engage with international scientific networks.
• Fostering sustainability: Building a new generation of academics equipped with advanced tools to sustain innovation and scientific productivity.

Grant Coverage 

The programme is designed to provide full financial coverage for all core educational and research activities, ensuring that universities and researchers incur no hidden costs. The UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) is responsible for managing the grant and transferring funds directly to the implementing partners, in line with UKRI standards for transparency and accountability.The coverage includes:

• Comprehensive academic training delivered through 14 integrated modules.
• Digital and research infrastructure to support participating teams.
• Article Processing Charges (APC) for accepted research papers in international conferences and journals.
• Fees for poster presentations at international conferences.
• Accredited professional diplomas and certificates issued to all participants.

Itemized Budget:

Administrative Fees, Waiver Policy & Programme Procedures Post-Award

Administrative FeesIn addition to the £32,000 fully covered grant, each participating researcher is required to pay a symbolic, one-time administrative fee. This fee is entirely separate from the grant value and is not transferred to UKABCS. Instead, it is paid directly to the implementing company and used exclusively to cover the operational and technical costs of programme delivery.Administrative fee amounts:

• £100 (one hundred GBP) for researchers from developed countries.
• £50 (fifty GBP) for researchers from developing countries.

Administrative fee principles:

• Payable by the individual researcher, not by the university.
• Paid once only at the start of participation, with no repeat charges.
• Non-refundable, even in cases of withdrawal. If a replacement researcher is nominated, the same fee applies to the new participant.
• Paid directly to the implementing company, not to UKABCS.
• Allocated to cover:
  • Platform hosting and digital infrastructure.
  • Technical support, user security, and data protection.
  • Monitoring, reporting, and compliance systems aligned with UKRI audits.
  • Certification of participation:
    • An official electronic certificate sent by email to each participant.
    • A printed certificate issued by the implementing company, watermarked for security, and delivered by post.
• If any additional requirements arise, the implementing company must notify UKABCS immediately for approval.

Waiver Policy

To uphold research equity and ensure fair access, UKABCS has introduced a graduated waiver policy for administrative fees. This policy is designed to support institutions in developing countries, while maintaining full compliance with UKRI standards of transparency and accountability.Waiver details:

• No full (100%) waiver is available.
• Possible waiver levels: 25%, 50%, or 75% of the administrative fee.
• Waiver requests must be submitted by the institution (university or research centre), not by individual researchers.
• Requests must include an official letter outlining justification and institutional financial circumstances.
• Applications are reviewed by UKABCS in coordination with the implementing company prior to programme delivery.
• All waiver applications are evaluated against clear, published criteria to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.

 Operational Fees – Waiver Policy Clarification

Institutions from developing countries may request a partial waiver of operational fees (25%, 50%, or 75%) through an official institutional letter at the time of application.
Waiver requests will be reviewed transparently by UKABCS in consultation with the implementing company. No full waivers are available.

Programme Procedures Post-Award

Once a university has been awarded the grant, it must follow structured procedures to ensure smooth programme delivery, institutional accountability, and alignment with UKRI requirements.Implementation process:

• Institutions are given one month post-award to conduct internal selection and nominate their final team of 10 researchers.
• If a waiver application is required, the institution must submit the request formally within this one-month period.
• After the final list of participants is approved, UKABCS formally instructs the implementing company to begin programme delivery.
• If any participant withdraws, the institution is responsible for replacing them immediately to maintain a full team of 10.
• Administrative fees are non-refundable and applied at the same rate to any replacement researcher.
• All processes—including financial transfers, waivers, and team replacements—are documented and monitored through interim and final reports submitted to UKABCS to ensure transparency and accountability.

Notes

• Administrative fees are completely separate from the £32,000 grant allocated for training, infrastructure, APCs, and poster presentations.
• UKABCS guarantees that these fees are symbolic, non-profit, and transparently justified as infrastructure, compliance, and certification costs.
• This framework ensures full compliance with UKRI standards for transparency, accountability, and the elimination of hidden costs.

Why is this Programme Critical? 

This programme represents a long-term institutional investment in strengthening academic and research capacity within universities and research centres. It goes beyond training individuals to embed knowledge and build sustainable systems that enhance institutional research outputs and position universities as competitive players in the global academic arena.Why it is critical for institutions:

• Building integrated research teams: Each university forms a team of 10 researchers (undergraduate, Master’s, PhD students, and faculty members) who collaborate on a complete research project.
• Guaranteed outcomes: Every team delivers a peer-reviewed research paper, a certified scientific poster, and accredited professional diplomas.
• Investing in human capital: The programme enhances the skills of academic researchers and equips them with advanced computational tools.
• Boosting international competitiveness: It positions universities at the forefront of global research networks.
• Institutional knowledge transfer: The impact extends beyond individual participants, embedding a sustainable research culture within the university.
• Reducing costs and accelerating outputs: Provides digital alternatives to expensive laboratory experiments and shortens the cycle from research to publication.

International Reach & Partnerships 

This programme is anchored in building a broad international research network that connects institutions across the Global North and South, advancing equity in knowledge access and ensuring shared benefits. Through these partnerships, the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) strengthens the UK’s role as a hub for global academic collaboration while empowering researchers in developing countries to join advanced research ecosystems.Key aspects of international reach and partnerships:

• Empowering researchers in the Global South: Particularly in the Middle East and Africa, by providing direct access to advanced research networks and tools.
• Strengthening the UK’s position: Establishing the UK as a global hub for academic and research collaboration linking Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Bilingual partnerships: Connecting Arabic-speaking and English-speaking institutions to maximise inclusivity.
• Building research bridges: Supporting sustainable collaboration between universities and research centres across borders.
• Ensuring equity: Extending participation opportunities to non-profit institutions and scientific societies.

Funding Structure 

The funding framework is managed under a transparent and pre-defined system that ensures sustainability and accountability in line with UKRI standards. The UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) transfers the full grant value directly to the implementing partners according to the approved budget, while allowing limited flexibility where necessary to achieve outcomes.Funding structure details:

• Grant value: £32,000 per participating institution.
• Contract duration: 2.5 years, covering two consecutive cohorts.
• Extension option: Up to 3 months may be granted, only if required to finalise outputs.
• Administrative fees:
  • Paid separately by individual researchers (one-time only).
  • Not deducted from the grant value.
  • Managed under a clear waiver policy (25%, 50%, 75%).
• Financial transparency: All transfers and expenditures are tracked through interim and final reports to ensure full compliance with UKRI requirements.
• Dedicated usage: Grant funds are restricted exclusively to the specified items (training, infrastructure, publications, and poster presentations).

Academic Content – 14 Integrated Modules  

The programme’s academic framework consists of 14 integrated modules, carefully designed to align with the objectives of the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) and UKRI capacity-building principles. These modules provide both theoretical grounding and practical skills, ensuring sustainable institutional knowledge transfer.Academic modules:

1. Introduction to Drug Discovery (Drug Design & CADD): Comprehensive introduction to computer-aided drug design and its role in reducing costs and accelerating drug development.
2. Cheminformatics Databases & File Formats: Training on global databases and file formats to enable effective chemical data management and interoperability.
3. Protein Structure Prediction & Analysis: Equipping researchers with modern tools to predict 3D protein structures and link them to biological functions.
4. Protein Alignment & Phylogenetics: Applying alignment techniques to trace protein origins and evolutionary relationships.
5. Gene Prediction & Protein–Protein Interaction: Understanding gene identification and predicting protein interaction networks for multi-target drug design.
6. ADME/Tox Prediction & Personalized Medicine: Building capacity in evaluating absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, while considering inter-individual variability.
7. Pharmacophore Modeling & Virtual Screening: Developing mathematical models to identify essential drug activity features and performing large-scale in silico screening.
8. 3D-QSAR & Lead Optimization: Analysing 3D structure–activity relationships to optimise drug candidates for efficacy and safety.
9. Structural Interaction Fingerprint Analysis: Exploring molecular interaction patterns to better understand binding mechanisms.
10. Molecular Docking & Screening: Training teams to simulate ligand–target interactions for rapid identification of drug candidates.
11. Quantum Calculations (DFT): Introducing density functional theory for accurate interpretation of molecular interactions.
12. Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Enabling researchers to study atomic-level motions and assess drug stability and efficacy.
13. Google Colab Integration & Cloud-Based Analysis: Providing practical solutions for accessing advanced tools via cloud computing without expensive infrastructure.
14. Scientific Writing & Poster Presentation: Building skills in documenting and publishing results, with emphasis on international standards for publications and presentations.

Monitoring & Evaluation 

The UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) places strong emphasis on ensuring quality delivery, credibility of outputs, and full transparency of operations. In line with UKRI requirements, a multi-layered monitoring and evaluation framework is applied, combining interim reports, regular meetings, and independent oversight to ensure optimal use of resources and achievement of programme goals.Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms:

• Weekly meetings: Each research team meets weekly with their academic supervisor to track progress and address challenges.
• Quarterly reviews: Formal reviews are held every three months with UKABCS and the implementing company to assess progress against predefined KPIs.
• Principal Investigator (PI): Each institution appoints a PI responsible for leading the team and ensuring adherence to timelines and research objectives.
• Interim reports: Institutions submit interim reports covering research progress, financial expenditure, strengths, and challenges.
• Final report: Includes complete outputs, published research papers, conference posters, and detailed financial analysis.
• Transparency and accountability: All documents and reports are reviewed by UKABCS to ensure compliance with UKRI standards.
• Feedback loops: Participant feedback is systematically collected to improve future cohorts and enhance programme effectiveness.

Programme Outputs

The programme is designed to deliver tangible and measurable research outputs, ensuring that institutional investment translates into clear results aligned with UKRI standards of transparency, accountability, and sustainable research impact. All outputs are formally documented and validated by the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) to ensure institutional and societal benefit.Key outputs:

• Peer-reviewed research paper: At least one publication per team in an indexed scientific journal (IJBTCS or an equivalent high-quality outlet).
• International scientific poster: Presentation of a certified poster at the UKABCS International Conference in London, with official recognition for all participants.
• Professional certification: Award of accredited professional diplomas and Internship Certificates to all participating researchers, jointly issued by UKABCS and the implementing company.
• Institutional capacity building: Development of empowered research teams capable of replicating the process within their institutions post-programme.
• Global research networks: Integration of researchers and institutions into international collaborations for sustained partnerships.
• Measurable research impact: Increased publication output, enhanced research quality, and faster research-to-publication cycles within participating institutions.

Environmental Sustainability Commitment

Institutions must outline how their proposed activities will minimise environmental impact (e.g., prioritising online delivery, reducing waste, using renewable resources). This does not affect scoring but is mandatory for transparency and reporting, in line with UKRI sustainability principles.

Programme Outputs 

The programme ensures that all research outputs are directly linked to the official activities of the UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS), guaranteeing institutional benefit and fostering international collaboration in line with UKRI standards.Key outputs:

• Peer-reviewed research paper: Each team is required to publish at least one paper in the official UKABCS journal (IJBTCS). Publication in external journals is not permitted unless pre-approved by UKABCS.
• International scientific poster: Each team must present a poster at the annual UKABCS conference in London, with official certification for all participants.
• International competition: UKABCS will organise a competition among participating countries. The winning team from each country will nominate a representative to attend a dedicated session in London.
• Professional certification: All participants will receive an accredited professional diploma and an Internship Certificate issued by UKABCS and the implementing company.
• Research Community Platform: Following the training phase, a dedicated platform will be established to connect all teams from participating countries, enabling ongoing collaboration and joint research.
• Collaborative projects: Each country may submit proposals for joint research projects with teams from other nations under the UKABCS framework.
• Institutional capacity building: Establishment of empowered research teams capable of replicating the process within their institutions for sustainable impact.

Research Governance & Compliance

All funded activities must comply with international standards of research governance, including:
• UKRI Policy and Guidelines on the Governance of Good Research Conduct.
• UK Data Protection Act (2018) and UK GDPR.
• Local regulations of the applicant institution.
Institutions must designate a compliance focal point responsible for liaising with UKABCS on ethics, safeguarding, and reporting.

Documents Required from Institutions

Applying institutions are required to prepare and submit the following documents as part of the official application package:

• Application Form: Completed with institutional details and the 5 proposed research teams (each team = 10 researchers).
• CVs: For the Main Principal Investigator (PI) and five Co-PIs per institution, as the core representatives responsible for supervising and coordinating the research teams.
• Official Institutional Letter:Must be issued by a university, scientific association, research institution, or hospital, and it must include:
  • A clear confirmation of the institution’s commitment to participate in the programme.
  • Nomination of no fewer than five (5) research teams (each team consisting of 10 researchers).
  • An explicit statement of the total number of participating teams.
• Researcher Selection Policies: A document outlining the institution’s internal process and criteria for selecting the 10 members of each research team, ensuring fairness and transparency.
• Waiver Request (if applicable): If the institution wishes to apply for a partial waiver of administrative fees, this must be declared during submission, with an official letter specifying the requested percentage (25%, 50%, or 75%), and indicating whether the waiver applies to a specific team or to all participating teams.

Documents Provided by UKABCS

The UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) will prepare and share a set of standardised documents with applying institutions to ensure clarity of objectives and obligations prior to submission:

• Project Timeline: Outlining the main implementation phases and expected outputs for each training cohort.
• Guidance Notes: Explaining eligibility criteria, obligations, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Application Form: The official template to be completed by the institution with details of the proposed research teams.
• Institutional Agreement (Template): A formal contract to be signed between the institution and UKABCS specifying mutual commitments.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

All institutions must ensure fair researcher selection processes and demonstrate commitment to EDI. Special encouragement is given to applications supporting women, early-career researchers, and underrepresented groups.

External Monitoring & Audit

UKABCS reserves the right to appoint independent reviewers or auditors to assess compliance, outputs, and impact at any stage of the programme.

All publications and poster presentations funded under this Grant must be submitted exclusively to the Annual UKABCS International Conference and its associated proceedings.
While external publications are not covered by this Grant, institutions may pursue them at their own cost provided proper acknowledgment of UKABCS support.

Application & Contact 

The UK Association for Biotechnology and Computational Science (UKABCS) invites all universities, scientific associations, research institutions, and hospitals to apply for participation in the Professional Diploma in Computational Chemistry 2026 Capacity Building Programme. Application process:

• Institutions download the provided documents (Timeline, Guidance Notes, Application Form, Template Agreement).
• Complete the Application Form and prepare all required documents  .
• Submit the full application package via the official Application Aply her

Application notes:

• Applications are accepted on a 1/10/2025 to 1/11/2025.
• The first cohort of selected institutions will be announced in 15/11/2025.
• Incomplete applications or those missing mandatory documents will not be considered.

Contact information:

📩 Email: Programmes-Grants@ukabcs.co.uk

For general inquiries and clarifications, institutions may contact UKABCS at the above address. Responses will be provided within 10 working days.

Application link Apply her

Attached Documents