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Here is the criteria for the Crucible Project 2026/27 cohort (Full Member):

• You must have graduated any course from ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ (Including Leicester Polytechnic)
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• You must finish study/coursework by September 30th 2026 (the start of the programme)
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• You cannot be undertaking study alongside the Crucible (with the exception of PhD candidates)
• International students can apply however you must attain a visa in which you can register a business when entering the programme or state your clear intention t do this during the programme. Please note that The Crucible does not sponsor visas and cannot provide accreditation to support applications.
• You must be able to commit at least 1 full day every week (Wednesdays) from September through to June to engage with the programme.Ìý
• Limitations may apply if you have registered a UTR number to engage in other ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ funded programmes such as ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ Made.

1. Applications are now open however you will not receive a response until after applications close on 15 July, where you will be invited to a 20-minute video interview on the weeks of 27 July and 3 August. Confirmation of programme acceptance will be on 7 August.
2. The Crucible Project is free. No equity, shares or fees are taken from you or your business. All members are expected to attend a full day, in person, every Wednesday throughout the duration of the programme.
3. You cannot be currently studying at ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ when the programme starts, you must have finished your teaching schedule or have graduated. You may apply before your programme ends and we encourage final year students to apply now! You are not able to join the programme alongside completing a Masters, however PhD candidates are permitted.
4. Open to any ˽·¿¾ãÀÖ²¿ Graduate and Alumni.
5. The Crucible 2026/27 will run from Wednesday 30 September 2026 through to June 2027. The cohort for the Full Members has a maximum of 30 businesses and is on a first-come first-served basis and the applications may close sooner if the cohort fills up.
6. The curriculum consists of 28 sessions of scheduled face-to-face content, plus breaks during for holidays.
7. Crucible Full Members and Lite Members have free access to a private office and workshop spaces throughout the week to use at your own needs.
8. The Crucible aims to assist you in registering your new business, or as self-employed during the programme, however this is not a requirement.
9. The Crucible does not sponsor visas and cannot provide accreditation.
10. Avoid single word answers in the application form, give some time to explain your rationale in detail to show you have considered the thought process of the entrepreneurial journey. understand that your business idea may not be fully fleshed-out yet so we are not looking for perfect answers, just explain our thoughts, ideas and research in your own words. This is a long programme of support so we want to understand that your skills or idea has potential.

AI policy: The Crucible acknowledges that AI is now an important tool for use, however it is sometimes overused and can unintendedly overstate and oversell your skillset or idea. We encourage all applicants to write in their own words and as accurately to their journey as possible. Applications that appear to be heavily influenced by AI will be rejected.