Innovator Training Scheme

The NIHR Manchester BRC helps to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and life-saving care and treatment for all, through delivering pioneering clinical research.

Based at The University of Manchester, Translation Manchester provides support and training for pre-clinical researchers to navigate and overcome barriers that block the progression of their research.

The aim of this joint programme is to equip and inspire researchers to explore and develop impactful research alongside industry and commercial partners.

Through a series of monthly webinars and other support, the ITS will nurture and support participants on their journey to creating innovative partnerships, new opportunities for collaboration, and a culture of pioneering translational research.

The programme will develop essential skills, knowledge and networks for research collaboration, including entrepreneurship, networking and communication to promote innovation and commercialisation as a career path for researchers.

Participants will have access to:

• Monthly webinars from leading Manchester researchers and industry experts.
• Regular blogs and case studies featuring successful researchers and collaborations.
• Bespoke advice and signposting for their projects through regular drop-in ‘industry clinic’ sessions with the BRC industry team, as well as mentoring and networking.
• Online resources, including recordings of each webinar session on the Manchester BRC YouTube channel.

A full list of webinar topics is available in the events section below.

The ITS is ideal for early-to-mid career researchers and staff who are looking to expand their knowledge, skills and networks of commercial research and innovation and the support available across Manchester.

This could include PhD students, clinical fellows, MS’s, research associates, research assistants, lecturers and new academics, as well as core research staff, such as study co-ordinators, project managers, technicians and bioinformaticians.

The programme is open to researcher staff and students across The University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

This initial pilot programme will run from March to November 2021, with webinars and drop-in clinics taking place each month.

A follow-up programme of training support across other aspects of translational research will be also be offered by Translation Manchester from November 2021. Further details on this will be announced later in 2021.

No, you can attend as many or as few sessions as you wish to meet your needs. However, due to the interactive nature of some sessions there is a limited capacity and places will be offered in the first instance to those enrolled on the whole programme.

In addition, those who do opt to enrol for the whole programme will have the opportunity for mentoring and support to pitch an innovation to commercial experts in a Dragons den style final session. Successful pitches will be offered further mentorship via Manchester Innovation Factory, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre and the Alderley Park Accelerator programme.

Participants can find out more about each webinar session and book their place by following the booking links below:

• Watch back – Essentials for innovation and industry engagement – Thursday 25 March 2021
• Watch back – Developing an entrepreneurial mindset – Tuesday 20 April 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Identifying intellectual property, when and why to protect – Tuesday 18 May 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Building your network and the value of teams – Tuesday 15 June 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Communicating your research to commercial audiences – Tuesday 20 July 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Commercialisation as a route to clinical impact – Tuesday 21 September 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Collaborate to innovate – Tuesday 19 October 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am
• Pitching to innovation – Tuesday 16 November 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am