Applications Open for the DDI Fellows Programme: From Ideas to Impact

This entrepreneurship programme, delivered by the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Futures Institute, is specifically designed to help staff at the University of Edinburgh to develop and commercialise innovative ideas.

The ambition for 2025-26 is to bring together a diverse cohort with commercialisation concepts spanning a variety of disciplines and sectors. Open to both academic and professional services staff across all Schools and departments, the DDI Fellows programme is here to help University of Edinburgh staff turn ideas into real-world impact. 

Designed to address the challenges of balancing work commitments with professional development opportunities, this seven-month programme is built around monthly in-person lunchtime sessions and self-led online learning to fit around Fellows’ own schedules. The in-person sessions will cover everything from Intellectual Property, Business Models and Value Proposition to Storytelling, Branding and Market Positioning, delivered by experts in their field.  The online learning complements these sessions with a focus on essential entrepreneurial concepts, tools and language. 

Fellows will also benefit from tailored guidance from the University’s Business Development specialists and innovation leaders at both the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Futures Institute. At its core, the programme is pacy, adaptive and designed to suit a varied cohort of Fellows exploring startup and spin-out ventures across diverse sectors. 

Alongside learning and mentoring, successful Fellows will also have access to seed funding and asset generation opportunities to help accelerate their ideas. 

The call for applications will close at 5pm on Monday 27^th October.  Don't miss this opportunity to part of a dynamic cohort of innovators and receive the tools, funding and support needed to bring your idea to life. Apply now using the button below.