FRC Launchpad Webinar
With the launch of the Frontier Research Contractor Launchpad (FRCL), a programme powered by our partnership with Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), we aim to help world-class engineers and researchers build new FRCs — organisations which pursue an exceptionally ambitious technical vision with a mix of contracts + grants — to accelerate the ambitious work of ARIA Opportunity Spaces. (Frontier Research Contractors are also often referred to as 'FRCs' by researchers, inspired by ARPAnet contractor, Bolt, Beranek & Newman.)
Join us to learn more and discuss whether your work might be a good fit for the FRCL.
Each year, we aim to source and financially support four exceptional technical and entrepreneurial teams with the potential to launch high-impact FRCs.
Each team can receive up to £100,000 over 12 months to support their work, as well as strategic and operational support. We help teams refine business plans, navigate partnerships, attract funders, and access essential resources to test and validate their FRC concepts—positioning them for long-term success in the UK’s R&D ecosystem.
Agenda:
3:00 - 3:15pm: An overview of FRCL
A conversation with our FRCL Program Manager, Eric Gilliam, on the vision behind FRCL and what we’re looking for in applicants.
3:15 - 3:25pm: Top FAQs
We’ll cover the most commonly asked questions from applicants.
3:25 - 3:55pm: Live Q&A
Your turn! Ask us anything about the programme, application process, or your idea.
Applications are open now through August 31, 2025. You can apply [here].
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Renaissance Philanthropy is a nonprofit organization that fuels a 21st-century renaissance by increasing the ambition of philanthropists, scientists and innovators. In the first year, Renaissance Philanthropy catalyzed more than $214M in philanthropic funding for science, technology, and innovation, launching 10+ initiatives across AI, education, climate, health, and scientific infrastructure. The organization designs time-bound, thesis-driven funds led by field experts and inspires talent to take action through playbooks and communities.
As an ARIA Activation Partner, Renaissance Philanthropy has launched the UK Horizons Programme to supercharge the UK's R&D ecosystem. The program converts more of the UK's untapped science and technology potential into real world impact. It finds extraordinary talent and draws it into UK networks and communities, nurtures outstanding ideas through to fully-formed plans, and builds the mindsets and capabilities needed to translate breakthrough scientific ideas into transformational solutions.
Powered by The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA), a UK R&D funding agency built to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. ARIA empowers scientists and engineers, from their Programme Directors to the teams they fund, with the resources and freedom to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible.