The Henry Royce Institute (Royce) has opened applications for technology leads and founders to bring forward opportunities for the next Royce Catalyst cohorts, where interdisciplinary teams explore the commercial feasibility of early-stage advanced materials technologies.
Royce Catalyst is a 16-week applied entrepreneurship education programme focused on the commercial feasibility of advanced materials technologies.
Delivered in partnership with Alliance Manchester Business School, Royce Catalyst connects technology leads and founders with interdisciplinary learner teams who explore real-world opportunities through structured commercial feasibility projects.
Royce Catalyst brings together learners, technology leads, founders and supervisors to work on live materials-based projects, exploring the commercial feasibility of emerging technologies while developing entrepreneurial mindsets and practical business skills. A significant number of full programme-fee scholarships are available to ensure broad access.
Why Royce Catalyst?
Through an intensive four-day taught lecture series held in Manchester, combined with real-world projects and expert supervision, participants gain the mindset and entrepreneurial tools needed to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.
Technology leads and founders benefit from fresh, external perspectives on their technologies, while supervisors play a direct role in shaping the UK’s innovation culture.
Application Deadlines
Applications are open for learners and supervisors wishing to join the programme, and for technology leads and founders bringing forward opportunities.
- Cohort 2 application deadline: 8 June 2026
- Cohort 3 application deadline: 9 November 2026
Opportunities for technology leads and founders
Royce Catalyst is ideal for technology leads and founders developing early-stage advanced materials opportunities who want non-confidential insight into commercial feasibility through a well-researched Commercial Feasibility Report produced by learner teams. They benefit from:
- Independent external perspectives on the opportunity
- Insight into possible applications, markets, risks and routes towards impact
- A clearer understanding of the opportunity space surrounding the technology
Dr Rebecca Myers, Enterprise Manager at the Henry Royce Institute, said:
“Through Royce Catalyst, we are delivering a national learning platform that equips researchers and innovators from all disciplines to work on advanced materials technologies, alongside Technology Leads and Founders developing early-stage materials-based commercial feasibility projects. Our participants gain crucial insight into the UK’s commercialisation landscape, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, access experienced mentors and peer networks, and gain a clear understanding of potential routes from lab to market.”
Submit your project proposal here or get in touch with the team via catalyst@royce.ac.uk.