About BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover
Innovate UK ICURe is partnering with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to deliver BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover in October 2026. Delivered under the UKRI council pathways in 2026/27, this cohort is designed specifically for research teams across BBSRC’s strategically supported institutes.
The bioscience carried out across these institutes addresses major challenges in food security, health and sustainability. For much of that work, commercialisation is one of the routes through which it reaches the people and sectors who would benefit from it. BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover gives research teams a clear way to test whether that route exists.
BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover is an 8-week, part-time online market discovery programme. It aims to enhance market awareness and deepen understanding of the potential applications of your technology.
Based on the lean start-up methodology, it applies the scientific method to business ideas. Participants will learn how to use this approach to gauge their potential customers’ opinions about their idea, product or service.
To find out more before applying, join our online info session at 12pm on 7 July.
Register for the info session.
Please note it is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore.
-
BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover is open to bioscience researchers (including PhD students, research technical professionals (RTPs), postdoctoral research associates (PDRAs), fellowship and group leader positions) at BBSRC’s eight strategically supported institutes:
- Babraham Institute
- Earlham Institute
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
- John Innes Centre
- The Pirbright Institute
- Quadram Institute
- The Roslin Institute
- Rothamsted Research
You do not require a full team to be able to participate in BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover. However, we strongly recommend that you are aware of who your technology transfer officer (TTO) or equivalent (e.g. KEC team) is and inform your principal scientific advisor (PSA) or senior researcher. Please also note that your application must have been agreed with your research organisation prior to applying, including that you can commit to the programme.
Building on the Technician Commitment UKRI Action Plan and the UKRI people and teams action plan, we particularly encourage applications from research technical professionals (RTPs) as entrepreneurial lead.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.
The spread across different target market sectors will also be considered when selecting applications to ensure broad portfolio coverage.
Previous applications
Please note that we cannot accept applications based upon a research project that has previously been through the ICURe Discover programme.
-
- Up to £2,500 support for testing assumptions and market discovery activities
- Part-time, online market discovery spanning 8 weeks
- Two-day online training bootcamp with commercialisation experts to develop a hypothetical business model, learn how to talk about technology to potential customers, and identify customer pain points
- Training on how to gather market feedback that indicates the next steps for your bioscience research and potential for commercialisation
- Access to our teams of experts; we will proactively connect you to our network of entrepreneurs, investors and funders
- Training in commercial viability using tools such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC)
- Develop an understanding of existing market offerings and competitive landscape for your sector
- Give a reflective presentation to our panel of experts and gain further traction for your commercialisation plans
- Opportunity to apply for the ICURe Explore programme and secure up to £35,000 of grant funding to carry out more extensive market exploration and customer discovery
-
- Learn how to evaluate the commercial potential of your research
- Build your understanding of routes to market, including licensing and spin-outs
- Gain expert advice from ICURe trainers and sector experts
- Connect with fellow researchers and innovation leaders in your field
- Draw on the innovation ecosystems on and around your institute’s campus as you explore how to get your research into use
This programme is part of Innovate UK ICURe’s wider mission to transform high-potential UK research into impactful spin-outs and license agreements.
-
- Applications open: 1 July 2026
- Info session: 7 July 2026, 12:00, online
- Applications close: 18 September 2026, 23.59
- Bootcamp: 8 & 9 October 2026
- Options Roundabout: 11 December 2026
- Location: Online
- Delivery partner: The Helix Way
-
The online application form will ask a series of questions about you and your research project.
You will need to have engaged with your Institute Technology Transfer Office (TTO) or equivalent, and your Principal Investigator prior to applying.
About our partner
Part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK’s major public funder of world-leading bioscience research and innovation. We act as a steward and enabler for UK bioscience.
Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges. These include the need for sustainable food production, climate change and ageing populations.
BBSRC forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies and partnerships on a global scale.
Our vision is to harness the power of bioscience to deliver a healthy, sustainable and resilient future, where the:
- new discoveries we enable provide a strong platform from which better outcomes for society can be generated both now and in the future
- technological advances that our community create are deployed effectively and with agility to deliver beneficial change
- channels between discovery and its application are clear and unencumbered
Application support & guidance
For further information please read the Key dates, expectations and guidance document.
Download
