The Royce Hydrogen Accelerator (RHA) is partnering with the Converge Challenge for a second consecutive year, funding up to 10 places for researchers from Scottish universities who are developing materials innovations within the hydrogen ecosystem and demonstrating strong commercial potential.
This opportunity forms part of the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator programme — a key initiative driving the UK’s materials response to the hydrogen economy. Through this partnership with the Converge Challenge, Royce is identifying high-potential researchers and providing targeted support to help them translate cutting-edge academic research into real-world impact.
Access the Funding
The opportunity is delivered through the Converge Hydrogen Challenge, a competitive programme designed to help researchers accelerate their journey from research to venture creation.
Researchers supported through the Royce partnership will receive:
- Bespoke business training delivered by experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who have successfully launched and scaled companies across diverse sectors and international markets
- Direct mentorship from the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator team, offering specialist guidance at the intersection of materials science and hydrogen innovation
- Access to a £40,000 Converge prize fund, awarded to successful applicants through the programme
Proven Impact
The impact of the programme is already being felt by past participants. One of last year’s winners, Michael Walsh, founder of Waste2Watt and a postgraduate student at Heriot-Watt University described the experience as transformative:
“The support from the Converge programme and the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator has been invaluable, helping me to consider both the technical positioning and market understanding of my idea. The whole experience has given me the confidence to move from concept to action, and I am now actively exploring the development of a venture in the hydrogen space.”
Apply now
Researchers based at Scottish universities who are developing materials innovations for hydrogen and are ready to explore commercialisation are encouraged to apply through the Converge Challenge.
Applications must be submitted via the Converge Challenge competition page:
https://www.convergechallenge.com/our-challenges/converge-challenge-the-competition-category-for-breakthrough-business-ideas/
Applications close on Thursday 2 April.
To learn more about the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator programme, visit:
https://www.royce.ac.uk/programmes/royce-hydrogen-accelerator/
