The UK Horizons programme, powered by Renaissance Philanthropy’s activation partnership with the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), is building the conditions for the UK’s most ambitious science to thrive. This KCL-wide webinar will introduce how UK Horizons is creating first-of-a-kind initiatives to strengthen the nation’s R&D ecosystem - from connecting networks of exceptional scientists to diversifying science translation pathways and unlocking capital allocation for breakthrough research.

You’ll hear how UK Horizons is:

 

• Cultivating talent and ambition through a selective community, Higgs, where exceptional scientists connect, collaborate, and grow their leadership in frontier science.
• Expanding translational mechanisms through:
• Ember: a 12-month fellowship supporting scientists to advance kernels of Big If True ideas into actionable and fundable R&D projects that could transform science and society, with funding (£100,000), mentorship, and pathways to impact.
• BiTS (Big if True Science Accelerator): a 15 week part-time accelerator training future programme directors for ARPA and ARIA-style agencies, equipping them to drive high-risk, high-reward R&D.
• FRC Launchpad (Focused Research Contractor Launchpad): a first-of-its-kind programme to build and scale mission-driven technical organisations that pursue bold North Star visions through a mix of contracts and grants. Bringing together elite engineers and researchers, the FRC Launchpad will create FRCs that accelerate breakthroughs and translation in ARIA’s opportunity spaces.
• Creating the right conditions for R&D translation, from commercialisation strategies to regulatory support for novel innovations.
• Unlocking flexible, patient philanthropic capital to fund high-risk, high-reward science at the earliest, most uncertain stages.

This webinar will share insights from active UK Horizons projects, highlight upcoming opportunities for KCL researchers, and show how you can connect with a growing national network shaping the next era of UK innovation.