Crick Innovation Challenge 2026

The 6th edition of the Crick Innovation Challenge is back! 🚀

The Crick Innovation Challenge is a dynamic week-long hackathon-style programme bringing together early-career researchers passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of science.

Taking place from 27th–31st July 2026 at the Francis Crick Institute in London, the programme welcomes MSc students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, clinicians, engineers, and scientific staff from across the UK.

This year, we are proud to collaborate with Conception X and additional partners to be announced soon!

We encourage people from outside the Golden Triangle to apply, as we can provide travel bursaries.

No previous startup experience, business idea, or team is required — just curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to collaborate.

Throughout the week, participants will:

Join multidisciplinary teams to tackle frontier scientific and planetary challenges

Take part in ideation workshops, expert-led panels, and venture-building sessions

Learn practical skills in pitching, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and innovation

Receive mentorship and feedback from leaders across academia, biotech, venture capital, and industry

Build lasting connections with like-minded innovators

Our goal is for every participant to leave inspired, empowered, and better equipped to translate scientific ideas into real-world impact 🌟

2026 Challenge Areas

🧬 AI for Scientific Research: The Next Frontier of Discovery

AI is rapidly transforming how science is conducted — from interpreting complex biological data to designing experiments and accelerating discovery. This challenge explores how AI can become an active collaborator in the scientific process and reshape the future of research.

🌍 Planetary Bioengineering: Engineering Ecosystems at Scale

Synthetic biology and bioengineering are opening new possibilities to work with nature at planetary scale — from carbon capture and nitrogen fixation to engineered ecosystems designed for a changing climate. This challenge focuses on bold solutions at the intersection of biology, sustainability, and climate innovation.

🧠 Expanding Human Potential: Redefining the Limits of Biology

Advances in neuroscience, regenerative medicine, longevity science, and brain-computer interfaces are pushing the boundaries of human biology. This challenge explores technologies that could reshape ageing, cognition, sensory restoration, and human enhancement.

Registration open until 30th June!

📅 Dates: 27th–31st July 2026

📍 Location: Francis Crick Institute, London

💸 Cost: Free to attend (travel bursaries available)