The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, under its Innovation and Skills Group and the University of Nottingham, under the Haydn Green Institute, invite applications for their biotechnology young entrepreneurs scheme.

This is aimed at raising awareness of commercialisation of bioscience research among postgraduate students and postdoctoral scientists.

Teams will develop a business plan for a company based on a hypothetical but plausible idea based on real markets over the course of one of the following three-day workshops:

• plant and microbial and environmental sciences workshop that will take place between 8 and 10 October 2014 at Jealott’s Hill
• chemistry YES workshop that will take place between 15 and 17 October 2014 in Manchester
• north west workshop that will take place between 15 and 17 October 2014 in Manchester
• biomedical YES workshop that will take place between 22 and 24 October 2014
• food YES workshop that will take place between 5 and 7 November 2014
• southern workshop that will take place between 5 and 7 November 2014 in Leatherhead
• Scottish workshop that will take place between 12 and 14 November 2014 in Edinburgh.

Up to three teams from each workshop are selected to progress to the final, which will take place on 8 December 2014 in London.

Applicants must be teams of researchers working in the biosciences in UK universities. Individuals who have already participated in the YES workshops and individuals with formal business training are ineligible. There are no age limits, although the aim is to support early-career researchers. Teams are required to pay a refundable deposit of £250 prior to applying.

The winning team will receive £2,500 plus a trip to USA and an invite to the UK Bioindustry Association’s Gala dinner.

Closing date 13 Jun 14

For further information go to http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/business/commercialisation/biotechnology-yes.aspx