The aim of the Science Enterprise Challenge was to establish a network of centres in UK universities, specialising in the teaching and practice of commercialisation and entrepreneurialism in the field of science and technology.

 

Twelve Science Enterprise Centres were established in UK universities in the first round of the competition in 1999/2000, with £28.9m of government funding. The centres support the teaching and practice of entrepreneurship among science faculty and students, and promote links between universities and business. Awards worth £15m for a further round of the competition were announced on 1st October 2001, involving some 39 institutions. This funding will help establish a new centre and expand the twelve existing science enterprise centres set up to promote a culture of enterprise and facilitate the commercial exploitation of scientific research.

 

In recognition of the work of the Enterprise Centres, it was decided to incorporate this activity into HEIF funding from the second round onward.

 

Further information about SEC can be found on the UKSEC website and the Cambridge-MIT Institute website.