The Fusion focused ICURe Engage programme, is open to and tailored for Research Students and all technicians (all disciplines), Masters (Research), 1st and 2nd year PhD students and post-docs. This opportunity is available regardless of whether you already have an innovative idea, as the programme introduces you to ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think about entrepreneurship differently.

Your course of study, your idea and/or your research MUST be directly related to fusion energy or address a key challenge in this sector.

About fusion energy

When a mix of two forms of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) is heated to form a controlled plasma at extreme temperatures – 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun – they fuse together to create helium and release energy which can be harnessed to produce electricity. There is more than one way of achieving this. UKAEA’s approach is to hold this hot plasma using strong magnets in a ring-shaped machine called a ‘tokamak’, and then to harness this heat to produce electricity in a similar way to existing power stations.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea. Social Media: @UKAEAofficial 

We also 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 online training bootcamp covering:

• entrepreneurial thinking
• the language of business
• emotional resilience and wellbeing
• introduction to verbal business card and value proposition
• impact and marketing testing online

3 weekly sessions covering:

• value proposition and your market
• testing your value proposition
• your video reflecting your learning

All programme materials have been aligned with the EntreComp model.

ICURe Engage provides a route towards other ICURe Programmes.

Please note ICURe Discover and ICURe Explore programmes will require their own application, there is no automatic entry if ICURe Engage is completed.

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: 02/10/2026
Online briefing session: 07/10/2026 – Register for session
Applications close: 29/10/2026
Start date: 16/11/2026
Location: Online
Delivery partner: SETsquared Partnership

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.