SynbiCITE Announces New Proof of Concept Funding Round to Accelerate Engineering Biology Innovation
SynbiCITE, the UK’s national centre for the acceleration and commercialisation of engineering biology, has announced the launch of a new Proof of Concept (PoC) funding round, delivered in partnership with EPSRC. The programme is designed to support early-stage projects with strong commercial potential and to help translate cutting-edge synthetic biology research into market-ready solutions.
Hosted at Imperial College London, SynbiCITE is led by Professors Richard Kitney and Paul Freemont and plays a central role in building the UK’s engineering biology and bioeconomy ecosystem. The expanded PoC programme offers a structured, two-stage pathway for researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs seeking to develop viable products, services, or processes rooted in synthetic and engineering biology.
The programme begins with PoC(a), a 12-week foundational project stage focused on validating the core technical and commercial assumptions of a proposed innovation. Teams will be supported by SynbiCITE’s scientific and technical staff and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including the SynbiCITE biofoundry. At the end of this stage, projects will be evaluated by an expert assessment panel comprising scientific, engineering, and commercial specialists.
Successful teams will progress to PoC(b), an extended nine-month development stage, during which projects receive significant development funding to advance their prototype or product and prepare for commercialisation. Following successful completion, SynbiCITE will typically act as a bridge to private-sector investors, supporting next-stage funding opportunities such as pre-seed and seed investment.
The programme places a strong emphasis on commercial viability, market opportunity, and responsible innovation. Project teams are encouraged to consider not only scientific and technical excellence, but also routes to market, societal impact, and environmental sustainability. Intellectual property generated through the programme remains solely with the applicants and their institutions.
The application deadline is 12:00 pm (midday) on Monday, 11 May 2026. Applications must be submitted using the official project proposal form and emailed to Laura McKay at SynbiCITE.
This new PoC round represents a significant opportunity for teams aiming to turn engineering biology breakthroughs into impactful, investable ventures and to contribute to the growth of the UK’s bio-based economy.