iCASE Commercialisation Fund
The MRC DTP is proud to have launched the iCASE Commercialisation Fund Competition, aimed at supporting PhD students in developing innovative ideas, creating business plans, and translating laboratory research into real-world applications, ultimately bringing it closer to the patient.
This annual competition invites students to submit pitch deck applications outlining their business ideas for commercialisation. Winners receive a cash award to support the development of their concepts.
The MRC DTP awards up to four prizes per competition:
- Winner: £4,000
- Runner-up: £3,000
- 2 x Second Runners-up: £1,500 each
In addition to the cash prizes, applicants will receive business plan development support, including training and masterclasses delivered by the Entrepreneurial Institute to help refine their applications.
Students interested in applying to this scheme are encouraged to contact the MRC DTP Industrial Coordinator, Stefania Boscolo-Calvino, for further information or guidance.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all MRC DTP students (Core and iCASE). Applications may be submitted individually or by a group of students. Group applications may include students from other programmes, provided that the lead applicant is an MRC DTP student.
Timeline
2026 Ideas Commercialisation Fund Competition
| Date: | Application Stage: |
| Monday 3 November 2025 |
2026 Launch |
| Friday 19 December 2025 | Deadline to submit expression of interest |
| January 2026 | Online workshop |
| March 2026 | Application deadline |
| May 2026 | Winners announced |
Frequently Asked Questions
Search FAQs
When can I apply?
Autumn 2025
Who can apply?
The competition is open to all MRC DTP students (Core and iCASE). Applications may be submitted individually or by a group of students. Group applications may include students from other programmes, provided that the lead applicant is an MRC DTP student.
What makes a good application to the iCASE Idea Commercialisation Funds?
The application is submitted in a pitch deck format in PowerPoint and will need to cover:
• Problem Definition & Unmet Need
• Solution & Value Proposition
• Market Opportunity
• Technology & Innovation
• Problem Definition & Unmet Need
• Competitive Landscape
• Business Model & Commercial Strategy
• Go-to-Market Plan
• Team & Execution Capability
• Impact & Sustainability
Can I apply if I have already applied in previous years?
Students who have previously been awarded a cash prize are not eligible to apply again. However, students who applied but did not receive an award are welcome to submit a new application.
What prizes does the competition award?
The MRC DTP awards up to four cash prizes per competition:
Winner: £4,000
Runner-up: £3,000
2 x Second Runners-up: £1,500 each
How will a decision be made?
Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel comprising academics, venture capitalists, external stakeholders and KCL staff with expertise in licensing and translational research.
How long will I have to use the cash prize?
12-months.
What can I use the cash prize for?
The cash award can be used for the following:
Business Development and Consultancy
• Fees for external business consultants or commercialisation advisors
• Market research services (e.g. competitor analysis, customer validation)
• Commercial strategy planning support
• Consultancy for regulatory strategy or clinical pathway advice (if applicable)
Prototyping and Technical Validation
• Materials and equipment for creating prototypes or proof-of-concept models
• Laboratory consumables for technical testing
• Outsourcing technical validation to specialist facilities or CROs
Customer and Market Engagement
• Travel and accommodation for attending industry meetings, pitch events, or stakeholder interviews
• Focus group or end-user testing costs
• Online survey tools or platforms for customer discovery
Training and Capacity Building
• Entrepreneurship training courses (e.g. lean start-up, business planning)
• IP or regulatory workshops
• Pitching or communication training
Marketing and Brand Development
• Graphic design for pitch decks, logos, or branding
• Website development or digital presence setup
• Promotional materials (flyers, digital mockups)
How will the cash prize be allocated?
KCL ST account codes
Can the idea be part of my PhD project?
Yes. We recommend consulting with your supervisor before submitting an application. As part of the process, due diligence checks are carried out with supervisors to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.
Do supervisors have to be part of the application?
Supervisors are not required to be part of the application and cannot be listed as direct applicants.
If your question is not answered in the FAQ’s, please get in touch with the MRC DTP Team at mrc-dtp@kcl.ac.uk. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
2025 iCASE Commercialisation Fund Competition Winners
1st Place
Kaito Kawakami & Ivan Andrushevich Petukhov
Studentship Programme: MRC DTP (Kaito) NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (Ivan)
Student Department: Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences
Application Title: Opis AI-Powered Nutrition Intelligence for Clinical Research
Opis AI is a digital health platform that leverages artificial intelligence to make food intake tracking in clinical trials faster, easier, and more accurate. By combining cutting-edge AI with behavioural science, Opis enables participants to easily log their food intake using advanced image recognition, barcode scanning, and voice input – all through a simple, user-friendly app. Our goal is to reduce participant burden, improve nutritional data quality, and ultimately help shorten and de-risk clinical trials. With support from the iCASE Commercialisation Competition, we plan to develop and deploy a functional MVP with clinical partners at King’s College London by the end of 2025.
Runner-up
Lucy Goodacre
Studentship Programme: MRC DTP
Student Department: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Application Title: Novel Spray-Dried Nasal Powder Formulation for Fast and Effective Treatment of Migraines
Migraines affect over 10 million people in the UK and are commonly treated with triptans like sumatriptan, which relieve symptoms by constricting cranial blood vessels. The nasal route offers improved bioavailability and more targeted delivery than oral formulations by leveraging the large, highly vascularised surface area of the nasal cavity. Onzestra Xsail®, the only approved nasal powder product for migraines, combines a complex device with a crystalline formulation – both of which can hinder effectiveness due to poor dissolution and challenging administration. This invention overcomes these limitations with a user-friendly formulation produced via spray drying, offering enhanced absorption and pharmacokinetics.
2nd Runner-up
Navodini Wijethilake
Studentship Programme: MRC DTP
Student Department: Surgical & Interventional Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences
Application Title: MedCaliper – PACS-integrated Interactive Tool for Brain Lesion Management
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this fund or your application please direct all enquiries to Stefania Boscolo-Calvino