Inventors
Submit a project proposal to Royce Catalyst

Gain insights on translating your research to real-world markets.

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APPLICATIONS TO COHORTS 2.0 & 3.0 ARE OPEN NOW

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Turn your materials innovation into real-world opportunities.

Royce Catalyst expands the UK’s capacity for advanced materials entrepreneurship by bringing inventors and researchers together in a structured, supported programme. By submitting a commercial feasibility project proposal, you’ll gain independent insight into the commercial potential of your technology, from applications and markets to risks, opportunities, and pathways to impact.

At the same time, you’ll play a leadership role in shaping the next generation of materials entrepreneurs.

Programme details

Applications open: 18 February 2026.

The programme format is blended, with in-person dates in Manchester plus online (evening) team-based project work and supervisions.

Cohorts will run within the following dates

ROYCE CATALYST COHORT 2.0

Dates: 08 September – 11 December 2026 | Application deadline: 08 June 2026

In-person sessions in Manchester:

Launch Night: 08 September 2026 (TBC).
Lecture intensive: 09-12 January 2026 (TBC).
Pitch Night: 09 December 2026 (TBC).

ROYCE CATALYST COHORT 3.0

Dates: 25 January – 23 April 2027 | Application deadline: 9 November 2026.

In-person sessions in Manchester:

Launch Night: 26 January 2027.
Lecture intensive: 27-30 January 2027.
Pitch Night: 21 April 2027.

Why Take Part?

Royce Catalyst gives inventors the chance to explore the commercial potential of their technology at a critical early stage.

Your project becomes the focus of a student team’s work: guided by supervisors and supported through structured entrepreneurial training, they assess applications, markets, risks, and opportunities.

The result is independent, well-grounded insight into the commercial feasibility and impact potential of your innovation.

Benefits for Inventors

INDEPENDENT INSIGHTS

Receive a detailed commercial feasibility report, a two-minute value proposition video, and a final pitch presentation.
Gain objective perspectives from researchers outside your immediate field.

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Validate potential applications and markets while your technology is still flexible.
Spot risks, hidden opportunities, and new collaboration pathways.
Strengthen awareness of IP considerations at an early stage.

BROADER ENGAGEMENT

Sharpen your technology story so it resonates with investors, funders, and partners.
Connect with motivated researchers who could become future collaborators, employees, or founders.
Join a national network of inventors shaping the future of UK advanced materials enterprise.

What We Ask of Inventors

Engage: Meet your team at Launch Night (Manchester), join them again at Pitch Night (Manchester), and check in at least three times online during the project.
Respond: Provide timely feedback so your team can keep moving forward.
Stay focused: Let the students concentrate on commercial feasibility (they are not technical consultants).

Eligibility

Discipline: Projects must be rooted in advanced materials and connected to UK industrial priorities.
Stage: Best suited for TRL 2–5. Advanced enough for engagement, but early enough to benefit from commercial exploration.
Intellectual property: All work is non-confidential. Share only information safe for open discussion with a potential team. If in doubt, we can arrange a short advisory call with our IP law partners.
Commitment: There is no fee. Your contribution is your time, insights, and openness to non-confidential sharing.

Application Guidance

Submit your application: Applications are now open for both 2026–27 cohorts and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Online interview: Shortlisted inventor projects will be invited to a brief online interview.
Project acceptance
All applicants will be notified by the deadline for student application for each cohort.

Be part of the bigger picture

Royce Catalyst is more than a programme. It marks the start of a national effort to embed materials-centred entrepreneurship education, put technology translation into action, and ultimately support the UK’s advanced materials research base.

Whether you join as a student participant, inventor, or supervisor, your involvement will help shape the culture, capacity, and community that drives material discoveries into real-world impact.

Questions? Contact us at catalyst@royce.ac.uk