Name: Data Driven Innovation Fellows
Availability: Applications now open

Welcome to the DDI Fellows Programme at the University of Edinburgh

The Data Driven Innovation (DDI) Fellows Programme supports academic and professional services staff at the University of Edinburgh to explore and develop spin-out or startup ventures.

Scaleup Growth: Helping existing AI-driven companies reach global markets.

Ideation to Startup: Turning academic research into new companies.

Applications now open

Applications are open to both academic and professional services staff at the University of Edinburgh. Closing date: 5 PM on 26 October.

Apply now

What is the DDI Fellowship?

The Data Driven Innovation (DDI) Fellows Programme supports academic and professional services staff at the University of Edinburgh to explore and develop spin-out or startup ventures. Delivered by the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Futures Institute, the programme blends expert support, with funding and targeted learning that will help you take your innovation from concept to commercialisation. If you have an idea that engages with data and embraces interdisciplinarity, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join?

The DDI Fellows Programme is Designed to:

Help you develop your idea into a minimum viable product.
Support the translation of innovation into real-world solutions.
Promote an entrepreneurial mindset across the University community, in line with Research and Innovation Strategy 2030.
Encourage engagement with, and support the integration of, the Innovation Competency Framework and contribute to our ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

On completion, Fellows may have the opportunity to progress into other programmes such as Venture Builder Incubator and AI Accelerator.

What you'll gain

This programme runs from November 2026 until May 2027 and combines online learning and monthly in-person sessions with tailored support that will equip you with the tools, knowledge and network to create a minimum viable product and continue your commercialisation endeavours.

As a Fellow, you’ll receive:

‍Nine in-person sessions and three online sessions focused on building a minimum viable product and furthering your understanding of the innovation journey. ‍
Self-led online learning to build confidence in key entrepreneurial concepts, tools and language. ‍
Access to seed funding and asset creation opportunities to accelerate your idea. ‍
Expert guidance from successful founders, IP specialists and investors. ‍
One-to-one support from Edinburgh Innovations as well as innovation leaders at the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Futures Institute, alongside opportunities for individual mentoring. ‍
Support in brand development and storytelling to help you articulate and promote your idea.

How to apply

Applications for the DDI Fellows Programme are submitted through our online application form.

The form will ask you to tell us about your idea, the problem or opportunity you are looking to address, who could benefit from it,and what you hope to explore or develop through the programme.

You don’t need to have an established business or a fully developed solution to apply. We’re interested in early-stage ideas with the potential to be developed and tested through the programme.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel with representatives from the Bayes Centre, Edinburgh Futures Institute and the wider University innovation ecosystem. There is no interview stage.

Who should apply?

This opportunity is open to all University of Edinburgh staff on open-ended contracts, including both academic and professional services colleagues. We particularly encourage applications from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff, who are underrepresented in this space.

The programme of in-person sessions will, as much as possible, take place over lunchtimes to make the opportunity as accessible as possible around the existing work commitments of successful Fellows.

We’re looking for individuals with a strong innovation concept covering any and all industry sectors, a desire to explore commercialisation, and a willingness to engage with the process of building a venture.

What we look for

When reviewing applications, the panel will consider:

Problem or opportunity – Is there a clear problem, need or opportunity that the idea aims to address?
Potential value and impact – Is there a clear sense of who could benefit and what difference the idea could make?
Use of data – Is data relevant to the idea, solution or opportunity being explored?
Potential for development – Is there scope to test, validate or develop the idea further through the programme?
Fit with the programme – Would the applicant benefit from the entrepreneurial support, workshops, network and seed funding opportunities offered through DDI Fellows?
Applicant commitment – Is there evidence that the applicant has the interest and capacity to engage with the programme and take the idea forward?

Feedback on your application‍

We want the application process to be valuable in itself. All applicants will receive brief feedback on their submission, highlighting key strengths and areas for further development, whether or not they are selected for the programme.

View the The Data Driven Innovation Fellows 2025

Discover this year's DDI Fellows from across the University of Edinburgh.

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