FLF ICURe Engage - November 2026

Future Leaders Fellows (FLF) ICURe Engage is a 4-week, online, part-time programme designed to support Future Leaders Fellows in exploring the potential market for their research.
Registration Details

05/10/2026 09/11/2026 11:59pm
Award

FLF ICURe Engage is a 4-week, online, part-time programme designed to support UKRI Future Leaders Fellows identify who could benefit from their research and explore the benefits of entrepreneurship.
Organisation

Future Leaders Fellows

About FLF ICURe Engage

Future Leaders Fellows (FLF) ICURe Engage aims to identify potential beneficiaries of research, introduce participants to tools for commercialisation, and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving impact and a viable career choice.

The programme is open to UKRI Future Leaders Fellows from all disciplines. This is an introductory, light-touch opportunity, available regardless of whether there is already an adoptable idea; the programme introduces researchers to ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think about entrepreneurship differently.

If you have any further questions, please direct them to ciaran@thehelixway.com

FLF ICURe Engage is a pilot programme delivered in partnership between the Innovate UK ICURe programme and UKRI.

  • The FLF ICURe Engage programme is only open to Future Leaders Fellows.

    We particularly welcome applications from individuals in:

    • universities who have not previously participated in the ICURe programme
    • universities who do not receive HEIF funding
    • under-represented groups including women, people of colour, those living with disabilities, and those from the LGBTQI+ communities
    • approved public sector research establishments (PSREs) conducting research within the specified domains
  • The programme includes:

    • 2-day training bootcamp from impact experts
    • introduction to ICURe, ideation, design thinking, and value proposition canvas
    • weekly hour-long conversations with peer group support and mentors for 3 weeks
    • around 5 hours of self-study and research over the 3 weeks.
    • consideration of how a venture delivering Impact may be funded

    All programme materials have been aligned with the EntreComp model.

    ICURe Engage provides a route towards other ICURe Programmes.

    Please note there is no automatic entry to ICURe Discover and ICURe Explore programmes. This requires the submission of separate applications and to apply to ICURe Explore, you must have completed ICURe Discover.

  • Past participants say that having dedicated time to spend understanding what commercialisation of research means has dramatically changed their perspective on their research, ideas, and innovations. The programme introduces ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think differently about impact, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

    Our pioneers get access to leading university resources, and fantastic networks of mentors and investors who join them early on their journey. We’re de-risking very exciting technologies which have enormous potential to change the world for the better.

  • Applications open: 05/10/2026
    Online briefing session: 13/10/2026 – Register for session
    Applications close: 09/11/2026
    Start date: 17/11/2026
    Location: Online
    Delivery partner: The Helix Way

  • The online application form will ask a series of questions about you and your research project.

    There is a limited number of spaces on each cohort, but we try to provide support for as many applications as possible.

    The application form may be accessed from the links on this website.

Application support & guidance

For further information please read the Key dates, expectations and guidance document.

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Application support and guidance

Get in touch

If you have any further questions, please direct them to ciaran@thehelixway.com or use the contact form.

Application link to follow

Programme

This opportunity is part of ICURe.

The Innovate UK ICURe Programme gives researchers the chance to turn ground-breaking research into investment-ready spin-out companies and license agreements. We provide funding and personalised support to test the commercial potential of an idea – while enabling researchers take their first steps into the world of business.

Find out more
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