Announcing BBSRC-NC3Rs ICURe Explore
We are launching a new funding opportunity through a strategic collaboration with BBSRC to help researchers commercialise their 3Rs tools and technologies.
We have launched a new ICURe funding opportunity in collaboration with BBSRC to help researchers exploit the commercial potential of their 3Rs tools and technologies. This builds on a strong track record of collaboration between our organisations, including a recent commitment (together with UKRI) of £4.7M across 24 research projects to develop and apply the next generation of non-animal technologies.
ICURe is the UK’s leading programme that supports scientists to explore the commercial potential of their research at an early stage. It guides participants through the commercialisation process from ideation to spinning-out, through programmes focused on one of four commercialisation phases – Engage, Discover, Explore and Exploit. We have partnered with BBSRC to deliver an ICURe Explore programme that will support NC3Rs, BBSRC and UKRI-funded scientists to understand the market potential of their 3Rs technologies and tools, maximising the chances of commercial success and 3Rs impact of their work.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to step out of the lab and conduct extensive research of supply chains, regulators, customers and competitors in a three-month, full-time market exploration programme. The programme consists of a bootcamp with commercialisation experts, individual mentoring with experienced research commercialisation mentors, the chance to engage with potential customers, regulators and supply chains and the opportunity to build networks among budding 3Rs entrepreneurs.
Funding information
Bioscience teams with research built on NC3Rs, BBSRC or other UKRI grants can apply for up to £35k to explore the commercial potential of their 3Rs technology. The BBSRC-NC3Rs ICURe Explore cohort will open for applications in September 2024 and close in November. The programme will start with a four-day bootcamp in January 2025 followed by 12 to 14 weeks of market discovery activities. The total budget for the call is £420k with up to 12 awards available.
Full guidance on how to apply, including remit and eligibility for the scheme, is available on the ICURe programme website.
“We are excited to be working with the BBSRC once more, to offer researchers this opportunity to explore the true market potential of their 3Rs tools and technologies. We know from our CRACK IT Challenges innovation programme and recent collaboration with the BBSRC to fund non-animal technologies that the market potential is large, but significant support is needed for researchers to exploit this. ICURe has a successful track record in providing this support and we look forward to seeing new companies and commercial opportunities emerge from this first cohort focused on the 3Rs.”
Dr Anthony Holmes, Director of Science and Technology at the NC3Rs.
“We are thrilled about this collaboration with NC3Rs. This partnership between BBSRC, Innovate UK and NC3Rs opens up new opportunities for bioscience research to innovatively address the need to replace, refine and reduce the use of animals in research. Enabling a continued and diverse pipeline of validated bio-innovation ideas is a core focus of the BBSRC ICURe Explore programme, in this round we aim to create a community of commercially-minded innovators to support the 3Rs mission and society as a whole."
Nick Basset, Associate Director Innovation at BBSRC.
Full details of the funding available through the BBSRC-NC3Rs ICURe Explore awards.