Please note that this programme is open only to those who have previously received NERC funding directly as an individual or been affiliated with NERC-funded programmes, e.g., studentships, fellowships, research grants etc.

The NERC ICURe Engage programme is open to researchers at all levels of seniority, technicians and students from all disciplines undertaking master’s degrees, PhDs, and Post-Docs, based at universities, independent research organisations (IROs) and NERC’s six Centres across the UK and who are interested in entrepreneurship. A full list of NERC’s Centres can be found via: https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/nerc/who-we-are/nerc-research-centres/. 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.

We also welcome applications from individuals in:

• Universities who have not 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 enterprises (PSREs)

We are committed to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from anyone who is eligible.

Your course of study, your idea and/or your research MUST be directly related to the commercialisation of NERC-funded research to solve climate adaptation challenges by bringing new or improved technologies, processes, products and services to market to enhance UK’s climate resilience. This ensures physical and social systems are resilient and well adapted to a changing climate. This includes, but is not limited to food security, water supply, transport, urban design, large infrastructure resilience community preparedness and response, and physical risks for the finance sector.

“Climate adaptation, environment and resilience” is one of UKRI’s new priority programmes and UKRI will invest in improving the UK’s climate resilience, including in support of the National Adaptation Programme as published in its new strategy and delivery plan.

Links for further information:

The Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework – April 2025 provides a non-exhaustive collation of adaptation R&I needs across sectors and ‘systems’, key to strengthening the UK’s climate resilience.

The Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Programme Inventory provides an overview of the main Government-funded R&I programmes that support climate adaptation, where adaptation is a core or significant component. It may not capture all relevant activity – some Government programmes include adaptation-related research as part of broader portfolios that may not be substantial enough to be included here.

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.

Engage provides a route towards other ICURe programmes. (Please note Discover and Explore programme will require their own application, there is no automatic entry if 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 provides the space and opportunity to consider research impact, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

NERC is a thought leader for UK environmental science, driving new research and innovation to advance the frontiers of science and benefit society. NERC invests in building a community of environmental scientists who work across disciplines in research and industry. The knowledge and data generated is used for the benefit of citizens across the UK, enhancing their prosperity, safety and quality of life. NERC funding supports the UK as an international leader in evidence-driven environmental policy.

Applications open: 27/07/2026

Applications close: 07/09/2026

Start date: 01/10/2026

Location: Online

Delivery partner: SETsquared Partnership

Application support

• There is a limited number of spaces on each Cohort, but we try to support as many applications as possible.
• The application form may be accessed from the links on this website.