Warwick Innovations Proof of Concept Fund

Warwick Innovations Proof of Concept Fund

Supports University of Warwick researchers with internal proof-of-concept funding so registered discoveries can move toward commercialization.

Warwick Innovations, the technology transfer office of the University of Warwick, administers an internally-funded Proof of Concept (PoC) grant designed to catalyse the early-stage commercialisation of Warwick research outputs. The fund targets projects already registered with Warwick Innovations and is explicitly described as enabling "catalytic change in the commercialisation potential of a research outcome." Access is via a dedicated Business Development Manager rather than a public application portal, and no formal deadlines or published award rounds exist — the programme operates on a rolling, continuous basis.

Eligibility is strictly intramural: only University of Warwick researchers whose projects are already registered with Warwick Innovations may apply. Award amounts are not publicly disclosed; the fund is characterised as small and catalytic in nature rather than development-scale. No published minimum or maximum award values exist in any available source. Warwick Innovations complements this internal fund by signposting external translational routes — including UKRI Impact Acceleration Accounts (BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, STFC, MRC) and the Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership Award — but those programmes are administered by separate funders.

For Warwick researchers at very early pre-commercial stages, this PoC fund represents the fastest internal route to catalytic validation funding, requiring only existing registration with Warwick Innovations. Because award amounts, selection criteria, and cycle details are not publicly available, prospective applicants should contact their assigned Warwick Innovations Business Development Manager directly to assess scope and suitability before committing time to preparation.