Durham University Secures Major £24 Million Award to Advance Sustainable Consumer Innovation

Durham University has been awarded a substantial share of over £24 million in national funding through the prestigious Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA), administered by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). This funding will underpin the launch of BiSCI (Bioconvergence for Sustainable Consumer Innovations), a cutting-edge doctoral training program dedicated to driving sustainability in consumer goods.

BiSCI: Developing Future Leaders in Sustainable Biosciences

BiSCI aims to train three cohorts of PhD students, equipping emerging researchers with pivotal skills to innovate in biosciences and sustainable consumer products. By fostering collaboration between Durham’s Department of Biosciences and leading industry and academic partners—including Procter & Gamble, Insiligence, Prozomix, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, and Imperial College London—the program bridges scientific discovery with industrial application.

Focus Areas Fueling Green Innovation

The program targets four crucial research domains:

• Discovery of new biological molecules
• Development of innovative research methodologies
• Advancements in sustainable manufacturing processes
• In-depth understanding of biological systems and their mechanisms

These areas coalesce to support the creation of greener, more sustainable consumer products and transformative technologies.

Real-World Industry Experience

PhD students will engage directly with industry partners from the outset, gaining invaluable experience in applied research environments. This hands-on training will prepare them to tackle pressing sustainability challenges within the consumer goods sector, fostering innovation that benefits both society and the environment.

Strengthening UK Bioscience Leadership

The three-year BiSCI initiative is part of a broader UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) effort that is funding over 320 PhD studentships nationwide, enhancing the UK’s capacity in bioscience, biotechnology, AI, data science, and engineering biology.

Professor Martin Cann, Head of Durham’s Department of Biosciences, emphasizes the program’s significance:
"BiSCI represents an excellent opportunity to accelerate innovation in the UK’s consumer product and biocatalysis sectors. We are delighted to collaborate with Procter & Gamble and our partners, and eagerly anticipate welcoming the first PhD cohort next year."

Additional Information

• Durham’s Department of Biosciences ranks third in the UK according to the Complete University Guide 2026.
• Prospective students can explore undergraduate and postgraduate courses via Durham’s Biosciences webpages.
• Further details on UKRI and BBSRC’s role in funding can be found on their official sites.

By investing in high-caliber talent through BiSCI, Durham University and its partners are poised to lead sustainable innovation in consumer products, contributing to a greener economy while enhancing the region’s scientific expertise.

Sources:
Durham University Press Release, December 2025
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

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