ICURe Engage Outreach June 2025 – in collaboration with University Alliance

Award

A 6-week, part-time programme for research students and technicians, aiming to identify potential beneficiaries of research, provide tools for commercialisation and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving societal impact and a viable career choice.

About the programme

ICURe Engage Outreach is a new addition to the ICURe Programme portfolio with the aim of increasing reach and uptake of the programme by underrepresented research groups and universities.

ICURE Engage Outreach aims to identify potential beneficiaries of research, introduce participants to tools for commercialisation and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving societal impact and a viable career choice.

The programme is open to all research students (including those pursuing research master’s degrees, 1st or 2nd year PhD students, and Post-Docs) as well as technicians from all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship. This opportunity is available regardless of whether they already have an idea, as the programme introduces them to ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think about entrepreneurship differently.

How does it work?

The Innovate UK ICURe Engage Outreach programme will equip you with the skills and competencies most needed to deliver meaningful knowledge exchange, commercialisation and impact. The multi-institutional nature of the cohorts on our programme will give you the opportunity to learn, connect and develop alongside researchers from across the UK, each of whom has an interest in exploring potential routes to commercialisation.

Through six interactive online workshops, you will hear from researchers and industry experts who have successfully commercialised their research, and learn to:

• Define commercial opportunities from your research
• Validate your ideas through effective customer discovery
• Build a strategic network to support your commercialisation journey
• Explore different commercialisation pathways
• Craft compelling pitches to secure resources and support

What does it include?

This programme includes:

• Six interactive online workshops
• Optional weekly support with group mentors
• Expert speakers who have successfully commercialised their research
• Opportunities for multi-institutional collaboration and networking
• Digital resources and templates to map your commercial confidence
• Signposting to commercialisation support and other relevant programmes

Why attend?

The programme is designed for academics and researchers who:

• Are at any stage of their career
• Have identified a potential commercial opportunity but need guidance on the commercialisation process
• Want to increase their impact beyond academia
• Are curious about different commercialisation pathways

We are particularly keen to hear from academics and researchers from post-1992 universities in addition to institutions that have been underrepresented in ICURe programmes in the past.

Who is eligible?

ICURe Engage Outreach is open to all UK universities and approved public sector research establishments (PSREs), with particular emphasis on post-1992 universities and modern universities. We accept applications from any discipline.

We particularly welcome applications from individuals in:

• Universities formed post-1992 and modern universities
• Universities who have not previously participated in the ICURe programme.
• Academics and researchers from underrepresented groups.

If the programme is oversubscribed, we may take a portfolio approach to selecting participants which will prioritise applicants from our target groups. There will be a number of other ICURe opportunities

How do I apply?

• The online application form will ask a series of questions about you and your research area.
• There is a limited number of spaces on each cohort, but we try to provide support to as many applications as possible.
• The application form may be accessed from the links on this website

If you have any further questions, please email info@icureprogramme.com.

Upcoming ICURe Engage Outreach Cohorts

ICURe Engage Outreach
Applications open 22/04/2025
Applications close 22/05/2025
Start date (cohort 1): 03/06/2025
Start date (cohort 2): 04/06/2025
Location: Online
Delivery partner: Skillfluence

Application Link
Register for Taster Session (Wed 7 May, 12noon-1pm)