Opportunities “are now knocking at my door”
01 May 2026
Delivering Manchester 2035 - our Ideas with Impact Awards will distribute up to £300,000 to staff and student entrepreneurs. Apply by Friday, 22 May.
Our University’s Ideas with Impact Awards will distribute up to £300,000 to student and staff entrepreneurs who are helping to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
The awards will support excellent, original research that delivers impact and drives innovation – key foundations of our ten-year strategy, From Manchester, for the world.
The scheme – a partnership between our Division of Development and Alumni Relations, Innovation Factory, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre and Unit M and supported by the University’s generous community of donors as part of Challenge Accepted – will offer individual awards of £100k, £75k and £50k to help turn bright ideas into social and economic enterprises of the future.
Award winners will also receive support to translate their research and ideas into business ventures, access to experienced mentors, and support in building networks to accelerate impact.
Previous winners have given powerful testimonies:
“The Ideas with Impact Award has been genuinely transformational for us. It enabled us to move from an early concept to a functioning prototype in a matter of months, and it funded every step of that journey.” (LanthaGen Bio)
“Absolutely game‑changing! The IWI funding has expanded the Imprinted Diagnostics team and opportunities such as contacts, grants and talent are now knocking on my door.” (Imprinted Diagnostics)
“Receiving the award allows us to demonstrate that our project will make a difference to the 190 million plus women worldwide affected by endometriosis.” (MollaPharm)
Discover more
You can find out more and apply at:
Eligibility: The Ideas with Impact Awards are open for applications from any students, staff or alumni (within 3 years) from across the University who are working on solutions to global challenges. You must have ambition to translate your research solution into a social or economic enterprise and you must be at an early stage of your entrepreneurial journey.
Key dates:
- Applications deadline: Friday, 22 May
- Finalists announced: Monday, 22 June
- Finalists pitching competition and networking event: Thursday, 2 July