BBSRC ICURe Explore is open to bioscience researchers in:
- UK universities
- BBSRC-funded institutes
- BBSRC-approved public sector research enterprises (PSREs)
Bioscience researchers include:
- PhD students
- postdoctoral research associate (PDRA)
- researchers in fellowships and group leader positions
- research technical professional (RTP)
Building on the Technician Commitment UKRI Action Plan and the UKRI people and teams action plan, we particularly encourage applications from RTPs as entrepreneurial lead.
You must have completed ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore.
BBSRC ICURe Explore teams
The entrepreneurial lead’s active participation is compulsory for the programme. BBSRC ICURe Explore teams are composed of two to four individuals that will support the entrepreneurial lead.
Entrepreneurial lead
The entrepreneurial lead is any bioscience research staff member, who receives their salary or stipend from an eligible university, PSRE or institute. This includes, but is not limited to:
- PhD students
- technicians
- PDRA
- researchers in fellowship and group leader positions
They must be able to:
- commit for the duration of the programme starting the week of the bootcamp
- have approval of their research organisation or funder
Principal scientific advisor
The principal scientific advisor is a researcher who can provide intellectual support to the entrepreneurial lead throughout the course of the programme. For example, an interdisciplinary project may require input from outside the research group.
Technology transfer representative or professional
An individual from the team, either from or contracted to the research organisation, leading on the commercialisation of the intellectual asset with appropriate technology transfer expertise.
This individual must:
- be able to attend essential bootcamp sessions as well as the options roundabout
- provide support for the entrepreneurial lead and team during the programme
- provide continued support for further commercialisation activity following the programme’s conclusion
Business adviser
The business adviser is a motivated individual from a relevant industrial sector who can offer expert guidance and support. We strongly encourage teams to name a business adviser in their application.
Contact the ICURe administration team if identifying a suitable advisor is a barrier.
Teams are responsible for any agreements or financial arrangements that may be needed with their business advisers.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to improving diversity across our programmes and are actively seeking applications from under-represented groups, including:
- women
- people of colour
- those living with disabilities
- those from the LGBTQI+ communities
We actively encourage applications led by non-Russell Group universities.
We will also consider the spread across different target market sectors when selecting applications to ensure broad portfolio coverage.
Previous applications
We cannot accept applications based upon a research project that has previously been through the ICURe Explore programme.
