SULSA, in collaboration with Interface, SkillFluence and MyFuture Plan have created the Forging Futures scheme to support and develop a cohort of researchers by enabling them to explore the opportunities available to them in academia and industry and equipping them with the tools to work effectively between the two. Recipients of this scheme will become SULSA Ambassadors for Industry Engagement.

The scheme has the added benefit of; enhancing the translation of research, catalysing cross-fertilisation across universities, building the confidence of researchers in collaborating across academic disciplines and industry sectors, increasing funding options for our researchers, and supporting their career progression.

This scheme will include:

• An in-person launch event to meet SULSA, SkillFluence, MyFuturePlan, Interface and fellow cohort members
• A 6-week modular course with Skillfluence on how to engage effectively with industry (further details at end of document)
• Group coaching sessions with MyFuturePlan to help them on their career path (further details at end of document)
• Access to industry case studies and connections with industry through Interface

One PhD Student and one Postdoctoral Researcher will be awarded from each of the SULSA member institutions, and will become a SULSA Ambassador for Industry Engagement within their institution. With this comes an expectation that you will pay it forward and work within your cohort to share the knowledge and insight you have learnt with your research community. This could be through the organisation of institute seminars with industry representation or through the creation of useful resources. Cohorts will be able to request small sponsorship funds from SULSA to support them with any ideas they have.

Eligibility

• Either a PhD student (penultimate year) or a Postdoctoral Researcher
• Working within Life Sciences research
• Must work at one of the twelve SULSA Member Universities or the James Hutton Institute

The scheme will run for two cohorts; PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers. Each of the thirteen SULSA members will have one position to fill per cohort.

Funding Information and Conditions

• The successful candidate for each SULSA member institute must act as a SULSA Ambassador for Industry Engagement within their departments. This includes attending quarterly meetings.
• The two cross-University cohorts (PhD and PostDoc) must ‘pay it forward’ and support industry-engagement within their institutions, with support from SULSA and Interface
• You must be available to attend all the scheduled module and coaching dates including the in-person launch event 
• You must have your application signed by your PI to demonstrate their support
• You must be funded until the end of the AY 2025/26 as a minimum due to the timings of the training delivery
• You must report back to SULSA via our online feedback form on the completion of both your training and time as an Industry Engagement Ambassador

Judging Criteria

• Motivational statement
• Demonstration of required skills
• Ideas for the Ambassador Programme to enhance industry engagement

Skillfluence Modular Course

• 6 x weekly 2 hour masterclasses – skillfluence.co.uk/connecting-with-industry
• This course is designed to provide you with a set of tools and skills to help you be immediately more effective working in, and with, industry
• You’ll learn about career routes in industry to access the jobs you want; and gain know-how that lets you engage with industry with more confidence
• Self-study lessons on eLearning platform
• Live conversations and networking with industry representatives and collaborators
• Individual application activities
• Completion Certificate

You must be available to attend all masterclass sessions on the dates TBC

Support from Interface

The team at Interface has a long-standing track record of translating industry led challenges and opportunities to forge collaborative R&D projects co-developed with academic teams from across Scotland to deliver new products, processes and services.

The Forging Futures participants will be supported as follows:

• Learn about engaging with industry to deliver successful partnerships
• Understand the range of available support from the Scottish ecosystem including getting to know funding opportunities to support academic – business partnerships
• Facilitate conversations and networking with industry representatives and collaborators from Interface’s network
• Explore “the art of the possible” for ideal collaborators to enable outcomes and impact
• Opportunity to attend industry focused workshops and webinars

Ambassador Programme

After completion of the Forging Futures training, you will become a SULSA Ambassador for Industry Engagement for 18 months, until September 2027. You will be expected to attend quarterly meetings to discuss activities for paying it forward and help shape the programme for the next cohort. The previous Ambassador cohort organised industry engagement events such as IndAc 22: Industry-Academia Engagement Event, Industry Insights Webinar Series, and Life Sciences Innovation and Commercialisation in the NE of Scotland event. Ambassadors also represented SULSA and the Forging Futures programme at institutional seminars and research days.

Please visit www.sulsa.ac.uk/blogs for articles from our Forging Futures Alumni to read about their experience.

Check out our Industry Ambassador’s blogs about the Forging Futures Scheme over at SULSA Blogs

This scheme is now closed for applications and will open for a new cohort on Monday 25th August 2025.