Creation Scheme

The Creation scheme helps ensure promising work moves forward into solutions that deliver real benefit for industry and the future nuclear workforce.

Funding projects ready to move from research to real-world impact

The creation scheme supports projects that are ready to move beyond exploratory and into delivery. It is where partnerships, ideas and insights come together to create solutions with real impact in nuclear decommissioning. This is your opportunity to turn strong concepts into something tangible, working with partners to develop, test and demonstrate what your research can achieve in practice.

The Creation scheme supports focused delivery ready work.

It is designed for teams who have already explored ideas, built relationships or developed early evidence and are ready to take the next steps either by proving a solution in practice or moving it towards real world use.

What taking part looks like

Creation activity supports two clear paths, depending on where your work is currently focused:

Project Translation

Project translation (TRL3-5) supports teams to develop, test and demonstrate solution in practice. Creation this might include:

  • developing and testing prototypes or demonstrators
  • validation and feasibility studies with clear end use input and challenge
  • testing with users or industry partners
  • developing solutions from the laboratory to real world applications

Projects are targeted, time-limited and designed to achieve clear results. Best suited for teams with strong ideas that want to show that it works.

Commercial Acceleration

Commercial Acceleration (TRL3-5) supports teams to position solutions for adoption, use or commercialisation. This might include:

  • exploring markets and opportunities
  • developing IP, licensing, or spin-out approaches
  • preparing for investment
  • evaluating how solutions can be deployed in the nuclear decommissioning industry.

Best suited for teams that have a developed solution who want to take it to real-world implementation.

Who can take part

The Creation Scheme is open to:

  • researchers and academic teams with developed ideas
  • research organisations ready to translate their work
  • SME’s and industry partners engaged in the delivery
  • established partnerships with a clear project.

Participation is best suited to teams who have:

  • have evidence of feasibility or prior development
  • have engaged or are ready to engage with end users
  • are aiming to deliver measurable outcomes
  • exploring commercialisation and want to deliver a real world solution.

How ACORN can help

The ACORN team supports you in understanding whether your project is ready for the Creation funding. WE can help assess readiness, strengthen your approach, and ensure that your project is positioned to succeed.

Contact ACORN

Creation Scheme FAQ

What does the Creation Scheme Support?

Creation funding is designed for projects that are ready to move into delivery and real-world impact. It helps academic or research teams take the next step by either:

Project Translation – developing and proving a solution in practice (TRL3-5)

Commercial Acceleration – moving a solution toward adoption and read world use (TRL3-5)

Projects are expected to be focused, with milestones, defined outcomes and a maximum duration of 12 months.

What funding is available?

Creation funding is designed for targeted, delivery-focused projects.

  • Most projects are supported within a £50-100K funding range.
  • Funding is capped within this band per project.
  • Projects are expected to deliver clear outcomes within up to 12 months.
  • Calls are open on a fixed timetable within the year.

 

How do I know if my project is ready?

Creation is best suited to teams who:

  • Have already developed and tested a solution in the laboratory
  • can show evidence of feasibility and progress
  • are working with, or ready to work with end users, customers and industrial partners
  • can deliver a clear outcome within a defined timeframe.
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