Funding opportunity

Funding opportunity: BBSRC Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) Explore

Apply for funding to ‘get out of the lab’ and validate commercially promising bioscience-based ideas, research, science and technologies.

BBSRC ICURe Explore funds, trains and supports research teams from:

  • UK universities
  • BBSRC-funded institutes
  • approved public sector research enterprises

This specific cohort is a pilot collaboration between BBSRC and medical research charities Kidney Research UK and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

In this round, the programme will support academic innovators who have received funding from either UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or partner medical research charities whose research aligns BBSRC’s standard ICURe scope.

The objective of this pilot is to diversify the pipeline of academically validated research ideas to maximise the bio innovation potential of the UK.

Who can apply

BBSRC ICURe Explore is open to research teams in all UK universities, BBSRC-funded institutes and approved public sector research enterprises.

The research underpinning the bioscience innovation, products or services being carried forward for market exploration by the team must be building on a previous BBSRC or other UKRI grant.

For the purpose of this funding opportunity, we will also accept applications from researchers and academic innovators who are building on peer-reviewed research grants awarded by Kidney Research UK and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The objective of this pilot is to diversify the pipeline of academically validated research ideas to maximise the bio innovation potential of the UK.

Teams

BBSRC ICURe Explore teams are composed of four individuals:

Entrepreneurial lead

Any research or technical research staff member who receives their salary or stipend from an eligible university, public sector research enterprises or institute.  This includes, but is not limited to:

  • PhD students
  • technicians
  • postdoctoral research associates
  • fellowship and group leader positions

This individual must be able to commit full-time for the duration of the programme starting the week of the bootcamp, and have approval of their institute, organisation or funder.

Associated science advisor

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 programmes conclusion

Business adviser

A motivated individual from a relevant industrial sector who can offer expert guidance and support. Teams are strongly encouraged to name a business adviser in their application. Please 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 and those from the LGBTQI+ communities.

We also actively encourage applications led by non-Russell Group universities.

The spread across different target market sectors will also be considered when selecting applications to ensure broad portfolio coverage.

What we're looking for

How does it work?

The BBSRC ICURe Explore programme takes the scientific method and applies it to commercialisation. Over a three-month period, you will learn how to use this approach to test what your potential customers think about your idea, product, or service. In addition, you will receive training and interview practice, carrying out over 100 interviews across the marketplace and acquiring transferrable business and social skills.

Past participants say that having ICURe Explore support, training and funding to spend on customer discovery has dramatically changed their perspective on their innovation.

What does it include?

The programme includes:

  • funding of up to £15,000 for market discovery activities and business advisor support
  • cover for up to three months of the entrepreneurial lead’s salary, to fully support the time commitment for customer discovery activities while participating in the programme. Please note there is a salary cover cap of £20,000
  • access to experts in bringing bioscience research to market, including weekly one hour coaching clinics
  • access and proactive connections to our network of bioscience entrepreneurs, investors and funders
  • game changing online delivery with opportunities for face-to-face interaction and networking
  • four-day intensive bootcamp, delivered in a ‘blended’ format with two days in-person and two days online. You will learn how to talk about your bioscience technology to customers, develop a hypothetical business model, and identify your customers’ pain points. You will also create a detailed plan of your customer discovery journey
  • three months of market validation using online software platforms, video conferencing and marketing tools, and face-to-face meetings where possible. This will involve targeting direct engagements with over 100 business leaders
  • one day online pitch training where you will learn how to pitch your bioscience research to potential customers and investors
  • the opportunity to pitch to an experienced panel of bioscience investors, funders, mentors and other stakeholders to help accelerate the impact from your research. The panel will give feedback on commercialisation pathways best suited for your project, which can include carrying out further public or private sponsored research, exploring licensing opportunities, or seeking public or private funding for spin-out
  • selected teams will have the opportunity to access further financial support and apply for various follow-on funding pathways from UKRI. Teams eligible for spin-out support will be required to identify their roles in the future company; any personnel change will need to be assessed for suitability by BBSRC and their delivery partners, North by North West Partners and The Helix Way

Building on previous grants

The research underpinning the bioscience innovation and the products or services being carried forward for market exploration by the team must be building on a previous BBSRC or other UKRI grant.

For the purpose of this funding opportunity, we will also accept applications from researchers and academic innovators who are building on peer-reviewed research grants awarded by Kidney Research UK and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The technology, product or service must be either:

  • biological in nature
  • interact with a biological entity
  • involve a biological process
  • address a biological challenge

We welcome applications from across the biosciences, including:

  • agriculture, food and nutrition
  • healthy ageing
  • engineering biology
  • industrial biotechnology
  • innovative tools and technologies underpinning biological research

What we will not fund

We will not accept applications based on medical or clinical devices and therapeutics being developed solely for a specific end-point clinical utility (including diagnostics).

For example, if you are developing a therapeutic or companion diagnostic for a specific human disease state, this would not be eligible for BBSRC ICURe. However, you could qualify for BBSRC ICURe if you are willing to investigate other market opportunities for your technology outside of the health sector (for example, livestock) or if your technology can be pivoted and used as a platform technology. We suggest you expand on these possibilities and approaches within the application form to provide a clear understanding of which bioscience challenge you are addressing.

We strongly advise you to contact us if you are unsure whether your application would fit the scope of the funding opportunity.

We cannot accept applications based upon a research project that has previously been through the ICURe Explore programme.

How to apply

The application form and further guidance is available on the ICURe website.

How we will assess your application

All applications will go through a competitive selection process. The entrepreneurial lead and associated science advisor will be required to participate in individual scheduled video interviews as part of that process.

Your application must have been agreed with your organisation prior to applying, including that you can commit to the programme full-time.

Contact details

Ask about this funding opportunity

Luca Mannocchi

Email: luca.mannocchi@bbsrc.ukri.org

Additional info

Webinar for potential applicants

We will hold a webinar on 27 June 2024. This will provide more information about the opportunity and a chance to ask questions.

Updates

  • 3 June 2024
    Webinar details added in timeline and Additional info section. You can find the webinar registration link in the Additional info section.

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