Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage
Limited submission
Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage supports doctoral students through rigorous research and practical entrepreneurship training to build ventures and connect research with markets.
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Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 21, 2026 (Mandatory EOI) | October 22, 2026 (Outline application) | March 16, 2027 (Full application, if invited)
Funding Amounts: Up to £25 million total for one to three awards; maximum duration 114 months
Summary: Supports large-scale doctoral training combining rigorous research with experiential entrepreneurship and venture creation.
Key Information: Applications without a submitted expression of interest will be rejected.
Description
UK Research and Innovation’s venture doctoral focal awards fund large-scale, cohort-based doctoral training that integrates academically rigorous research with practical entrepreneurship and venture creation. EPSRC and BBSRC lead delivery, with proposals welcome across UKRI’s remit, including STEM, social sciences, humanities and arts. Programmes must support at least one of the UK Industrial Strategy’s eight high-growth sectors and offer a clear step-change from typical doctoral provision.
The opportunity prioritises training shaped by real commercial opportunities, with spin-out creation intended from the outset rather than classroom-based commercialisation training alone. Expected outcomes are greater entrepreneurial confidence among doctoral students, high-value commercial outputs anchored in the UK, and stronger connections between academic research and markets. UKRI recognises that progression towards commercialisation can demonstrate success without every student creating a spin-out.
