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UK Research and Innovation

Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage

Funding for entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training and venture creation.

OpenUK Research and InnovationUnited Kingdom

This opportunity supports large-scale venture doctoral focal awards to train the next generation of researchers and innovators. Awards provide doctoral training that strengthens links between research, innovation and enterprise and supports venture creation.

Applications must support a minimum of 50 students across up to five annual cohorts. The training combines academically rigorous research wi…

The opportunity supports doctoral training that strengthens links between research, innovation and enterprise and supports venture creation. Applications must clearly support at least one of the eight high-growth sectors in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy and move beyond classroom-based commercialisation training, with spin-out creation being the intended commercial output from the outset.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.22 Oct 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.114 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.In-kind assistance
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.£25M

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Last verified: 27 Aug 2026Funder reference: ukri-post-199518Source: www.ukri.org