BBSRC ICURe Discover is open to bioscience researchers (including PhD student, technician, postdoctoral research associates (PDRA), fellowship and group leader positions) in all:
- UK universities
- BBSRC-funded institutes
- approved public sector research enterprises (PSREs)
Although you do not require a full team to be able to participate in ICURe Discover, we recommended, as a minimum, that you are aware of who your technology transfer office is and inform your principal scientific advisor or senior researcher.
Please also note that your application must have been agreed with your organisation prior to applying, including that you can commit to the programme.
Discover teams
The entrepreneurial lead active participation is compulsory for the programme. BBSRC ICURe Discover teams are usually composed of two to four individuals that will support the entrepreneurial lead:
Entrepreneurial lead
Any research or technical research staff member, including, but not limited to, PhD student, technician, PDRA, fellowship and group leader positions, who receives their salary or stipend from an eligible university, PSRE or institute.
This individual must be able to commit for the duration of the programme starting the week of the bootcamp, and have approval of their institute, organisation, or funder.
Principal scientific advisor
A researcher who can provide intellectual support to the entrepreneurial lead throughout the course of the programme. For example, an interdisciplinary project may require input from outside the research group.
Technology transfer representative or professional
An individual from the team, either from or contracted to the research organisation, leading on the commercialisation of the intellectual asset with appropriate technology transfer expertise.
This individual must:
- be able to attend essential bootcamp sessions as well as the options roundabout
- provide support for the entrepreneurial lead and team during the programme
- provide continued support for further commercialisation activity following the programme’s conclusion
Business adviser
A motivated individual from a relevant industrial sector who can offer expert guidance and support. We strongly encourage teams to name a business adviser in their application.
Please contact the ICURe administration team if identifying a suitable advisor is a barrier.
Teams are responsible for any agreements or financial arrangements that may be needed with their business advisers.
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.
We also actively encourage applications led by non-Russell Group universities.
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.
