Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage
UKRI's Doctoral focal award supports doctoral programmes that blend advanced research with entrepreneurship and venture creation to drive innovation and commercial impact in the UK.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 21, 2026 (Expression of Interest) | October 22, 2026 (Outline Application) | March 16, 2027 (Full Application, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Up to £25 million total; 1–3 awards; supports at least 50 doctoral students per award, up to five cohorts.
Summary: Supports large-scale doctoral training programmes that integrate rigorous academic research with hands-on entrepreneurship and venture creation.
Key Information: Expression of Interest is mandatory to proceed; only one application as lead per organisation.
Description
This funding opportunity aims to support the next generation of entrepreneurial researchers by funding large-scale doctoral training programmes that combine advanced academic research with practical, cohort-based learning in venture creation. The focus is on fostering entrepreneurial and commercial confidence among doctoral students, generating high-value commercial outputs anchored in the UK, and strengthening the connection between academic research and market-driven enterprise. Programmes must deliver innovative training models, robust governance, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Multi-organisation consortia are encouraged, and proposals should demonstrate clear added value from all partners.
