Doctoral focal award: UKRI venture doctorates: outline stage

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Medical Research Council (MRC)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

No deadline listed

Funding

Up to £25,000,000

Location

England

Applications

Has a deadline

Overview

This grant funds entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training programmes. It is open to a wide range of organisations, including those that do not normally qualify for UKRI funding. Non-standard applicants must complete an extra eligibility check before any award is made. You must submit an expression of interest by 21 September 2026 at 4pm. The maximum award is £25 million.

Eligibility

Who can apply:

academiclimited companycharitypublic sector

Key requirements:

Expression of interest required by 21 September 2026 at 4pm UK time
Non-standard eligibility organisations must complete eligibility process before award is made
Programme must be entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training

Who is this for?

This is for organisations in England that want to deliver entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training. Both standard UKRI-eligible organisations and non-standard organisations can apply. It is not aimed at individual researchers or businesses seeking funding for their own projects.

Sectors

Professional & Scientific Services

Regions

England

Full details from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Medical Research Council (MRC)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Apply for funding to deliver entrepreneurship-focused doctoral training.Applications can be led by organisations with standard and non-standard eligibility. The non-standard eligibility process will need to be completed before an award is made.An expression of interest is required by 21 September 2026 4:00pm UK time.

How to apply

You must submit an expression of interest by 21 September 2026 at 4pm UK time. This is a two-stage process. If your organisation does not normally qualify for UKRI funding, you must complete a non-standard eligibility check before any award can be made.

Apply on Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Medical Research Council (MRC)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

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Last updated: 16 September 2026