NERC-Innovate UK ICURe Discover programme

Open UKRI funding opportunity · Other. Closes 2026-11-12. Opportunity page: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/nerc-innovate-uk-icure-discover-programme/

Apply for the NERC ICURe Discover nine-week online market exploration programme.

Participants will build market awareness, deepen understanding of potential technology applications of their research and learn how to gauge customer opinion about their idea, product, or service.

This programme is for participants looking to explore the potential of early-stage projects and provides up to £2,500 for market discovery activities.

To apply you must have previously received NERC funding directly as an individual or been affiliated with NERC-funded programmes.

What we're looking for What is the NERC ICURe Discover programme?

Innovate UK’s ICURe (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research) Programme is a nationwide programme which supports students and researchers to explore the commercial applications and potential impacts of their research.

NERC ICURe Discover is a nine-week part-time online market exploration programme, delivered by SETsquared Partnership, and tailored for NERC researchers and technicians.

The ICURe Discover programme is developed using the lean startup methodology, which applies the scientific method (hypothesise, test, evaluate) to business ideas. Participants will:

- learn how to use this approach to gauge their potential customers’ opinions about their idea

- enhance their market awareness

- deepen their understanding of the potential technology applications of their research

NERC ICURe Discover is intended for participants looking to explore the potential of early-stage projects and provides up to £2,500 for market discovery activities.

It is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you subsequently wish to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit opportunities.

There is no automatic entry to Explore if Discover is completed.

Why attend?

Discover is now a compulsory route…