Meet the Inaugural Ember Cohort: Turning Big-If-True Ideas into Actionable R&D Projects

Nov 20

In October, the first Ember cohort began their journey to turn the beginnings of their big-if-true ideas into fundable and actionable R&D projects, powered by the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

Many exceptional scientists are not able to work on their ambitious ideas within their current institutions and incentive structures. Their breakthrough ideas may not be commercially viable, orthogonal to their academic focus, or simply too risky to fund through traditional means. Furthermore, many of these individuals also often lack the knowledge or access to the translational tools, frameworks, and support needed to turn their ideas into major real-world impact.

This contributes to a systemic gap in advancing frontier science and realising its full societal potential. Ember exists to bridge this critical gap in the UK’s research and innovation landscape — the program provides fellows with the funding, mentorship, and training that enables them to advance their big-if-true ideas from concepts into fundable, actionable R&D projects.

At our kick-off, participants unveiled their big-if-true ideas: concepts that, if validated, could have transformative implications for science and society within or related to ARIA’s existing or emerging opportunity spaces. They shared early insights, connected with peers, and began building a vibrant community of innovators ready to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Over the coming months, the Ember cohort will receive funding, mentorship, and deep ecosystem support to:

Advance and refine their big-if-true ideas
Explore diverse translational pathways
Develop a translational mindset; helping them understand and identify high-impact opportunities beyond traditional routes

The programme equips them to explore real-world routes to innovation and impact rarely encountered within institutional frameworks.

This first cohort brings together an extraordinary group of five scientists exploring areas at the edge of the impossible. Their projects range from developing next-generation genome editing platforms to rival CRISPR, to reinventing purification methods for a sustainable bio-based chemical industry, to focusing ultrasound through the skull, and that’s just the beginning.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing updates on their progress as these ambitious ideas evolve into actionable projects. Follow along as the Ember cohort advances big-if-true ideas and helps shape the next wave of innovative R&D.