The Challenge The UK’s technical R&D ecosystem is home to world-class scientific research and exceptional scientists. However, many of these scientists, despite working on high-potential breakthroughs, 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.

By building structured pathways beyond the lab, Ember creates the opportunity for ambitious scientists to accelerate frontier science and realise its full impact on society.

Our Approach

Ember bridges the gap between early-stage, impact-first Big If True ideas and fundable, actionable translational R&D projects. The programme provides broad support—funding, mentoring, and access to a wider ecosystem—to:

• Help participants develop and refine their Big If True ideas, and
• Explore diverse paths to impact—all while building the mindset and tools needed to translate bold ideas into breakthrough research that they may not be exposed to within traditional institutional frameworks.

Through Renaissance Philanthropy’s Activation Partnership with ARIA, Ember participants will explore areas at the edge of the impossible and contribute to driving ARIA’s opportunity spaces towards massive societal impact. From Mathematics for Safe AI, to Smarter Robot Bodies, to Bioenergetic Engineering and beyond, Ember offers a window into the kinds of ambitious, interdisciplinary challenges being tackled across the frontier of R&D. In just 12 months participants will surface new directions, and deepen understanding of emerging areas of high-impact research. Programme participants gain early exposure to the unique culture, energy, and values of ARIA’s frontier-focused ecosystem; gaining insight into the opportunity spaces this programme exists within, and contributing to the community shaping the next wave of innovative R&D.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Comprehensive support for Big If True ideas: Ember offers funding and dedicated time for participants to advance their Big If True ideas that sit outside conventional funding or institutional models. With access to ongoing mentorship from leading researchers, as well as a broad network of collaborators in academia, industry, and government, participants have the financial and community support needed to take their ideas forward.
• Networking: Participants become part of the Higgs, a selective community, with access to innovation summits, conferences, events, dinners, and talks. This unique networking opportunity fosters collaboration with like-minded, ambitious scientists, peer learning, and the exchange of ideas that drive innovation.
• Training on opportunity identification in frontier science: Through the Horizon Scanning Study Group, a 12-month focused study group identifying beyond the cutting-edge opportunities for R&D, participants identify and contribute to emerging areas in frontier science.
• Exposure to translational pathways and career development: Ember supports participants in developing a translational mindset—helping scientists & innovators understand and identify high-impact opportunities beyond traditional routes. Rather than simply funding research ideas, the programme equips them to explore diverse, real-world routes to innovation and impact they may not typically encounter within institutional frameworks.

Ember is powered by RenPhil's partnership with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

Programme Details

Individual Grants Up to £50,000 over six months, with the potential for an additional £50,000 extension for a total of twelve months.

Eligibility Ember is open to scientists and innovators in STEM or related interdisciplinary fields, based in the UK, who hold an MSc, PhD, postdoctoral position, or equivalent qualification at a minimum. Applicants should demonstrate a strong track record in research or innovation and a passion for exploring novel, high-impact ideas with real-world potential.

Criteria to be tested during the selection process:

• Big If True – originality and boldness of the idea
• Technical Expertise – depth and relevance of skills to pursue the work
• Vision – clarity and ambition in shaping a compelling future direction
• Potential Impact – potential to drive meaningful, far-reaching change
• Alignment with ARIA current and emerging opportunity spaces with potential to inform or expand their areas of interest

Application Deadline Submit your application here, by July 20, 2025.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the Renaissance Philanthropy team.

Contact Should you have any inquiries about the programme or the application process, please reach out to ember@renphil.org.