Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage

Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage is sponsored by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage is sponsored by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Economic and Social Research Coun…

Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage – UKRI Funding opportunity: Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) , Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) , Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) , Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) , Medical Research Council (MRC) , Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) , Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 10 August 2026 9:00am UK time 22 October 2026 4:00pm UK time Apply for funding to deliver venture doctoral focal awards, offering entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training.

Applications can be led by organisations eligible for standard UKRI funding , or by organisations such as businesses or social enterprises that are accepted for non-standard eligibility before an award is made. Organisations can only lead on one application but can collaborate on more. UKRI have £25 million available.

We expect to fund one to three awards. As a non-full economic cost award, UKRI will fund 100% of eligible costs listed in the opportunity, subject to subsidy control rules. Estates and indirect costs will not be funded.

To apply, an expression of interest must be completed by 21 September 2026 4:00pm UK time. This opportunity is open to organisations with standard and non-standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible .

This section provides information on which organisations can be part of applications. As detailed below, organisations can be: the lead organisation on an application, only if they meet standard UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) eligibility or intend to complete the non-standard eligibility process for this opportunity before an award is made.

Further details on non-standard eligibility checking will be included in the full application funding opportunity.

Each application has only one lead organisation, and an organisation can only be the lead organisation on one application a collaborating organisation on applications, for organisations that will be co-leading delivery of the award, receiving funds from the award, and naming their employees on the project team in the application. Collaborating organisations do not need to meet standard UKRI eligibility.

Applications can have multiple collaborating organisations, and an organisation can be a collaborating organisation on multiple applications a subcontractor, where the organisation will not have named people on the project team but will receive funds from the award through procurement by the lead organisation a project partner, where the organisation contributes to the project (in cash or in-kind) but does not receive funds from the award or have named people on the project team.

As project partner organisations do not receive any funding via this award, they do not need to meet standard or non-standard UKRI eligibility In this opportunity, the term collaborating organisation has the meaning given above. Organisations that are subcontractors or project partners do not fall under the definition of a collaborating organisation.

You are encouraged to engage with a variety of organisations to ensure delivery of a truly integrated programme, which combines academically rigorous research with deep, experiential learning in entrepreneurship and venture creation. In all stages of your application, you should outline how organisations within your partnership will work together to achieve the aims and objectives of your programme.

We are organising webinars (details below), where we will provide details of how we will support networking between potential applicants through a collaboration platform.

This section also details which named individuals are eligible to be: project lead (if they are based at the lead organisation) named in other roles such as project co-lead (if they are based at the lead organisation or at a collaborating organisation) Please see Roles in funding applications: eligibility, responsibilities and costings guidance for more details on roles within your application.

The number and composition of organisations participating in an application can change between the expression of interest, outline and full application stages. However, rationale for changes should be explained within the relevant application stage. Applicants are not permitted to change the lead organisation at any point in the application process, unless agreed in advance by UKRI.

This is because an organisation may only act as a lead organisation on a single application. There are further considerations for UKRI and the lead organisation depending on what type of organisations are leading and collaborating. These considerations include adherence to the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

More details on this can be found under the ‘What we are looking for’ section. Who is eligible to apply as a lead organisation Your research organisation can only apply to lead one submitted application but can be a collaborating organisation on any number of applications.

Organisations eligible to apply as lead organisation include: higher education institutions research council institutes eligible independent research organisations and Catapult centres public sector research establishments (PSREs) Check if your organisation is eligible . Businesses, social enterprises, and other organisations can also lead applications.

Organisations in this position do not need to apply for non-standard eligibility before submitting an outline application as lead organisation. However, UKRI will need to complete due diligence and the non-standard eligibility process before making any award to your organisation.

Further details on non-standard eligibility checking will be included in the full application funding opportunity, but please contact UKRI to ask for more information on applying for non-standard eligibility. Alternatively, these organisations can also be collaborating organisations (and therefore hosting project co-leads or other named individual roles), or act as project partners or subcontractors as detailed below.

will shape the vision, skills priorities, and delivery model, individually or in partnership with collaborating organisations is responsible for submitting your application will act as the training grant holder, if you are successful must provide the principal base (host) for a minimum of one student per year of intake for this funding opportunity The lead organisation does not need to have UK doctoral research degree awarding powers, and no organisation with these powers is required within your consortium at outline application stage.

However, it will be mandatory to have an organisation with UK doctoral research degree awarding powers in your consortium when submitting a full application, if you are invited to do so. Identification of the lead organisation should not be interpreted as recognition as the dominant partner or where the majority of studentships will be hosted.

While only one lead organisation can be included on the UKRI Funding Service at any stage of the application process, UKRI welcomes applications that reflect flexible and joint leadership models. Who is eligible to apply as a collaborating organisation Collaborating organisations are those that will co-lead development and delivery of the training programme, and that will receive funds from the award.

A collaborating organisation’s employees can be named on the project team. Any organisation hosting students at any point of your award must be named as a collaborating organisation on your application.

Collaborating organisations can include: organisations which are eligible to receive UKRI funding, like with lead organisation eligibility businesses of all sizes, including venture builders and venture capital firms charities, non-governmental organisations and third sector organisations other public sector bodies Organisations that are not acting as a lead or collaborating organisation within an application may act as subcontractors.

These are third party organisations who are subcontracted by the lead organisation to deliver a specific piece of work. This will be subject to the procurement rules of the lead organisation. All costs that support the delivery of the subcontract are eligible.

Staff at subcontracting organisations cannot be named as a project lead or a project co-lead and should not be named as a member of your core team within your application. Any subcontracting costs you include should be outlined and fully justified in your application and will be subject to assessment.

Where procurement processes have not been completed at the point of either the outline or full application, you should provide as much information as possible. You should be aware that any agreed subcontracting costs put forward in your application are expected to be upheld, in the event you are successful. This is of particular relevance for subcontractors acting on multiple applications.

Organisations which are not acting as a lead or collaborating organisation within an application may act as a project partner. Unlike lead, collaborating and subcontractor organisations, project partners are not permitted to receive any funds from the award. The exception is that an organisation is permitted to be a project partner and a subcontractor on the same application.

However, this must be fully justified and will be subject to assessment. An example that may be justified is when an organisation is both: making in-kind contributions to your award selected to deliver other work related to your training programme which involves costs at a level necessary to be covered via a subcontract Information on project partners is not required at outline application stage.

However, at full application stage the involvement of any project partners in your application is expected to be justified, for example, outlining the direct (cash) and indirect (in-kind) contributions to your training programme. Organisations acting as a project partner are permitted to perform this role on any number of applications.

However, like subcontractors, project partners must be aware of their long-term commitments at the point of application and be willing to support all applications they are named on, in the event that they are successful. At the full application stage, applications must outline how project partners will make meaningful contributions to the delivery of the training grant in the ‘Project partners’ section.

We welcome applications including a wide range of project partner organisations.

This can include, but is not limited to: public sector organisations, such as public sector research establishments (PSREs) and government at all levels, including devolved administrations third sector organisations universities that are not leading or co-leading the proposal other key stakeholders across the research and innovation landscape Your application must demonstrate that there is significant added value from any project partners you choose to form part of your partnership.

This may include, but is not limited to: hosting work experience, placements, venture building activities or similar co-supervision, mentoring or both training for students, staff, or both, including on entrepreneurship, venture creation or commercialisation access to facilities, infrastructure, data, customers or markets financial commitments to partially, or fully, fund additional studentships commitment to cover the costs of access to facilities or training that cannot otherwise be provided strategic links to an important stakeholder or user supporting employees into doctoral study supporting future career destinations of venture doctorate graduates There is no limit to the total number of organisations you may include within your application.

However, each member of your partnership must make meaningful contributions to the delivery of the training grant, as set out in your application. Which individuals are eligible to be project lead or project co-leads Please see Roles in funding applications: eligibility, responsibilities and costings guidance for more details on roles within your application.

Named individuals as project lead To apply to this funding opportunity as the project lead, you must be based at the lead organisation. Eligibility for individuals named as project leads will be assessed against UKRI’s individual eligibility policy . Named individuals as project co-leads Project co-leads and other roles in funding applications are welcome at either the lead organisation or collaborating organisations.

Project co-leads cannot be based at subcontractors or project partners. UKRI’s individual eligibility policy applies to project co-leads. However, we recognise that there may be a broader range of organisations than usual applying to this funding opportunity.

In particular, where they play an integral role in programme delivery, project leads and co-leads may include: research technical professionals innovation and commercialisation professionals research software engineers professional training and programme managers We encourage applicants to develop opportunities to attract investment from non-UKRI sources over the lifetime of the programme.

Additional investment may be used to strengthen the financial sustainability, ambition and real-world relevance of your programme and its associated activities. This may include approaches at the programme level or in support of individual student projects. There is no formal requirement that proposals must include secured co-investment of any value at any stage of your application.

However, there is an expectation that applicants should describe how they will aim to attract investment to support student ventures, including access to investors, venture support and pathways to commercialisation. All applicants are additionally expected to include evidence of track record in securing investment in ventures relevant to this funding opportunity.

We welcome innovative leverage models, including approaches that attract or crowd-in investment from venture capital, business, philanthropy or other stakeholders. International organisations and researchers The UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement and the UKRI-IIASA agreement do not apply to this funding opportunity.

As such, applications submitted to this funding opportunity cannot include an IIASA or a Norway-based project co-lead (international). We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder. Find out more about EPSRC’s resubmissions policy .

Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances.

This includes, but is not limited to: support for people with caring responsibilities alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process. Demand management is being applied to this funding opportunity. As outlined in the ‘Who can apply’ section, organisations are permitted to submit one application as lead.

However, organisations may collaborate in other ways on any number of outline applications. We expect this opportunity to fund between one and three doctoral focal awards to train the next generation of researchers and innovators. Doctoral focal awards provide support for areas that require a concentration of studentships in combination with a highly tailored training programme.

We are looking to support a small number of large-scale venture doctoral focal awards. Applications must support a minimum of 50 students, across up to five annual cohorts. These will enable doctoral students to integrate academically rigorous research with deep, experiential learning in entrepreneurship and venture creation.

deliver doctoral training that strengthens links between research, innovation and enterprise and supports venture creation clearly support at least one of the eight high-growth sectors in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy , as well as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s mission to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth move beyond classroom-based commercialisation training, with spin-out creation being the intended commercial output from the outset be shaped by real-world commercial opportunity demonstrate a strong capability and track record in academic quality, venture support and attracting investment, entrepreneurship training and commercialisation demonstrate the capacity to support cohort-based delivery at scale We welcome applications from new collaborations as well as applications that expand on existing doctoral training investments.

However, all applications must present a clear step-change from typical doctoral provision. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) are leading the delivery of the opportunity.

However, this opportunity is open to proposals across the breadth of UKRI’s remit, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and arts (SHAPE) disciplines. For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, please see the ‘Additional Information’ section. By the end of the award, funded programmes must demonstrate delivery of the following three outcomes.

Enhanced entrepreneurial and commercial confidence in cohorts of doctoral students To demonstrate this outcome, students will, by the end of the award: complete doctoral level degrees that meet UK quality assurance frameworks gain practical experience of venture creation, including understanding of intellectual property (IP) ownership, protection and exploitation, and exposure to uncertainty, risk, regulation, finance and markets be able to make informed, evidence-based decisions about appropriate commercialisation pathways, including spin-out formation, licensing or alternatives be able to balance the demands of academic rigour and entrepreneurial dynamism, adapting their approach as opportunities and evidence evolve develop the skills, confidence and mindset to pursue a range of non-academic career pathways, including entrepreneurial and commercial roles progress through the venture journey as a cohort, building durable peer, investor and ecosystem networks Increased high-value commercial outputs anchored in the UK Expected outputs by the end of the award include: the creation of successful commercial outputs, such as spin-outs that are commercially viable and survive beyond five years.

As projects progress and pivot, alternative appropriate high value commercial outputs may include social ventures, licences, IP portfolios, investable propositions, or equivalent commercial assets clear pathways for follow-on investment, adoption or scale, where appropriate commercial assets and ventures that are, wherever possible, anchored in the UK, aligned with UK national interests and delivering socioeconomic benefits to the UK Enhanced connectivity between academic research and the market Expected outputs by the end of the award include: strong integration between academic research and commercial opportunity graduates bridging effectively between research and enterprise communities, engaging effectively with businesses, investors, users and public sector partners research delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits to the UK, while remaining open, collaborative and internationally engaged responsible balancing between open research, commercial exploitation and public accountability, in line with UKRI terms and conditions for training funding Venture creation is inherently high risk, and we recognise that not all students will deliver high value commercial outputs.

Success can be progression on the entrepreneurial journey towards commercialisation, not just forming specific types of commercial entity or a guaranteed spin-out outcome. You must outline a coherent and structured training programme to achieve the three outcomes. The programme must meet UKRI’s statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You are encouraged to think creatively about the model, considering how: studentships will be advertised to encourage a diverse range of applicants the recruitment process will be fair, open and transparent in line with UKRI good practice principles in recruitment and training at a doctoral level students will receive structured time, training and support to undertake both high‑quality doctoral research and venture creation, with flexibility to test, refine and pivot commercial opportunities in response to market signals and technological changes doctoral projects will be designed and planned so that, barring exceptional circumstances, students submit their thesis within their funded period.

The maximum funded period is five years full-time equivalent, but durations above four years full-time equivalent must be clearly justified as providing value for money students will be assessed, using approaches such as a traditional thesis, thesis by portfolio, artefact, composition or other formats that meet quality assurance students will move between academic and non-academic environments, including through placements where appropriate the programme will be delivered at cohort level, including cohort‑based training, peer learning and peer networking, to ensure that students have opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas and benefit from peer-to-peer support training a cohort identity will be developed and maintained across the lifetime of the training programme.

students will have access to relevant external networks, such as business advisors, investors and innovation ecosystems, to support experiential entrepreneurship and venture building a diverse and inclusive training environment will be fostered, with flexibility to support students at different stages of research maturity and commercial readiness student wellbeing will be embedded, recognising the pressures of venture creation.

Support should include access to pastoral and mental health support beyond supervisors, and mechanisms to manage periods of heightened intensity.

Support from supervisors, mentors and partners must appropriately reflect commercialisation realities such as iteration, pivots and non-linear progress risks will be identified and managed, including oversight of individual projects, adherence to subsidy control, trusted and responsible research and innovation, UK anchoring of foreground IP for national benefit, and compliance with UKRI open access requirements Additionally, you may choose to extend aspects of training and support to students not following the full venture doctorate programme funded by this award, where those students have strong entrepreneurial ambition and their research has commercial potential.

If this model is pursued, at least 60% of students must go through the full venture doctorate programme. Governance and compliance Strong governance will be required to deliver these awards, with effective oversight of all training, capability‑building and exploratory activities. Applications must include independent oversight, including an advisory board, to provide scrutiny, assurance and strategic challenge.

This should form part of an approach to enable continuous learning, evaluation and adaptation. You must ensure there is no duplication of UKRI funding and must be compliant with the Terms and conditions for training funding . We have highlighted several key aspects below.

under TGC 11, you are responsible for arrangements relating to the ownership and management of IP, including that intellectual assets are used to the benefit of society and the economy IP ownership and attribution must be set out clearly in a formal collaboration agreement in advance of projects starting.

This includes background IP developed prior to collaboration, foreground IP generated by the doctoral student, and foreground IP that may be generated by partners working closely on the project you must outline how plans for collaboration agreements are proportionate, transparent and appropriate to the nature of the partnerships involved, including where IP is licensed to spin-outs or other commercial vehicles you must set out how the proposed arrangements comply with subsidy control requirements, where applicable results of research should be published in accordance with normal academic practice and UKRI’s policy on open access , balancing this with the protection of commercially sensitive information you must ensure timely deposit of doctoral theses (within 12 months of award, subject to justified and documented exceptions), appropriate acknowledgement of UKRI funding in publications, outputs and communications through this opportunity, we aim to maximise the economic and societal value for the UK of IP and related assets generated through publicly funded doctoral training under TGC 5.

2.

4, students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies and any time spent overseas should be for the purposes of fieldwork or similar activities you must aim to ensure foreground IP is owned, governed and exploited by UK-based individuals or organisations, contributing to long-term national benefit the focus on ‘anchoring’ in the UK does not preclude international collaboration, licensing or scaling, but instead emphasises early-stage ownership, control and decision-making being retained within the UK UKRI recognises that decisions about where value is ultimately created are influenced by a wide range of factors beyond IP, such as access to markets, talent, visas, tax incentives and capital under TGCs 2.

3. 1 to 2. 3.

11, you must ensure at all times that the training grant funding awarded to you is compliant with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, or the EU State Aid regulations where Article 10 of the Windsor Framework Where funding could affect trade between Northern Ireland and the EU you should contact UKRI depending on the organisations involved in each consortium, the activities each organisation is undertaking, and the nature of their involvement (for example, whether or not they are subcontracted through a procurement process), part of the funding awarded through this opportunity may constitute a subsidy UKRI may determine that a subsidy scheme needs to be developed.

If it is determined that a scheme is required, awards following full applications would need to be assessed against this scheme. Further information will be included in the full applications funding opportunity whether UKRI makes a subsidy scheme, individual subsidies or otherwise, any awards made will be subject to subsidy control considerations.

This may affect the level of funding, requirements about co-investment by the lead or collaborating organisations, or the award conditions. UKRI may decide to make multiple separate awards to lead and collaborating organisations.

UKRI will work with you to ensure that, if successful, any awards made comply with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, and awards will not be made until UKRI is satisfied you should seek independent legal advice on what this means for you, before applying you will be asked in your expression of interest whether funding will support activities in businesses or other enterprises further information about the Subsidy Control Act 2022 requirements can be found within the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (legislation.

gov.uk) it is the responsibility of the lead organisation to make sure all collaborators and activity funded through the centre remain compliant with the eventual status of the award, whether this is on a no subsidy or a lawful subsidy basis. This should be accounted for in the governance of the award and the delivery of any activities and funding by the award.

The lead organisation must advise UKRI of any potential or actual changes to this status it is important to note that it is the activity that an organisation is engaged in as part of the project and not its intentions, that define whether any support provided could be considered a subsidy there are also likely to be considerations regarding enterprises created through these awards, such as spinouts.

These may be covered by minimal financial assistance or de minimis state aid, but again the lead organisation must advise UKRI of any potential or actual changes to the status On trusted research and innovation (TR&I): the standard UKRI opportunity text on TR&I detailed later in this section applies less to this opportunity given the focus on anchoring in the UK.

The specific bullet points have been prepared for this opportunity under TGCs including 2. 2. 2, 2.

6. 2 and 2. 7.

1, you must ensure that the award and all student projects are compliant with relevant UK legislation and UKRI trusted research and innovation principles UKRI’s principles aim to protect the UK’s IP, sensitive research, people, and infrastructure from potential theft, misuse and exploitation.

The focus of this opportunity on anchoring in the UK makes this especially relevant awards must embed TR&I principles in due diligence, partnership working and decisions relating to funding or collaboration ongoing monitoring of TR&I must be embedded in the governance and risk management of the award, and this will be monitored by UKRI through the advisory boards of successful awards students must also receive TR&I training due diligence may be required on lead organisations, collaborating organisations, subcontractors, project partners and other parts of consortia before awards are made see further guidance and information about TR&I , including where you can find additional support Successful awards will be required to develop detailed plans and processes demonstrating how these essential elements will be embedded in your award, as well as other areas including: equality, diversity and inclusion responsible research and innovation environmental sustainability Applicants must demonstrate they can deliver a programme, which combines academically rigorous research training with venture creation.

We particularly welcome applications from multi-organisation consortia which bring together expertise in doctoral training, entrepreneurship and venture creation. Applications are welcome from a wide range of organisations. See the Who can apply section for eligibility criteria.

All organisations must demonstrate added value from their inclusion. For example, funding, provision of access to facilities or training, or strategic links to important stakeholders or users. Cohesion across the consortium must be demonstrated in the application, including a clear case for the given size of their consortia.

Where an award is associated with more than one organisation (including collaborating organisations, subcontractors or project partners), a formal collaboration agreement is required between the organisations. This should set out the basis of collaboration between the organisations, including the allocation of resources throughout the award or individual student projects, and ownership of IP and rights to exploitation.

It will be the responsibility of the lead organisation to put such an agreement in place before student projects begin. The terms of collaboration agreements must not conflict with UKRI’s training grant terms and conditions, or any additional conditions associated with this funding opportunity. Applications must have a maximum duration of 114 months.

The duration must be justified by applicants in line with their proposed programme model, in particular the number of cohorts and the duration of doctoral study. Where the end date of a studentship is subsequently extended later than the end date of the grant, in line with training grant conditions 6 and 8, grant holders will be able to apply to UKRI at the time to extend the grant, which may be beyond 114 months.

Projects must start no earlier than 1 July 2027 and no later than 1 January 2028. The first students must start in the 2027 to 2028 academic year. Awards will have a fixed start date, on the date requested in the application.

Up to £25 million funding is available for this opportunity. As a non-full economic cost award, UKRI will fund 100% of eligible costs listed in the opportunity, subject to subsidy control considerations outlined above. Eligible costs vary between UKRI training grants, so please check the lists below for full details.

UKRI minimum fees and stipend rates have only been confirmed for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. As a result, all costs requested in applications (including stipends and fees) should be calculated at your chosen October 2026 rates with no addition made to consider inflation over the length of the funding period.

This includes the appropriate fee rate for your institution(s) and any enhanced stipend rates above the UKRI minimum, described below. UKRI will include an allowance for fee and stipend indexation at the final funding stage. Indexation has to be covered by the available budget, so there is less than £25 million available at 2026 prices.

We will fund studentship costs up to a maximum of the equivalent of 50 students. This could be, for example, 100% funding for 50 students or 75% funding for 66 students. As outlined in the What we are looking for section, applications must support a minimum of 50 students, and at least 60% of these must go through the full venture doctorate programme.

This means that at least 30 individual people must be going through the full programme. Students will be funded across a maximum of five cohorts. At the outline application stage, applicants must outline a summary of the number of students and cohorts being requested.

Further information is in the How to apply section. The numbers should align to the proposed