How to access Royce materials science and engineering equipment
What is the Royce equipment access scheme?
This national programme provides funded or subsidised access to the Henry Royce Institute’s materials science and engineering equipment. Through this scheme businesses and academics can access advanced materials research and development (R&D), characterisation, testing and method development without investing in expensive infrastructure. The scheme is designed to:
- remove cost and capability barriers to high spec materials research,
- support materials innovation in areas such as hydrogen, coatings, sustainability and extreme environments,
- provide expert guidance from Royce technical specialists,
- accelerate research, validation and proof of performance,
- strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and national facilities.
What type of project is eligible?
Your project must involve materials related research and development and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Develop new materials, systems or processes.
- Improve understanding of performance or failure of materials or material systems.
- Address a materials issue which is impacting progress in some way.
- Develop a method that expands Royce capability.
- Aligns with one or more of Royce’s Core Research Areas: 2D materials, advanced metals processing, atoms to devices, biomedical materials, chemical materials design, electrochemical systems, material systems for demanding environments, nuclear materials, modelling and simulation, imaging and characterisation.
This includes hydrogen embrittlement, coatings performance, corrosion, lifing data, sustainability, extreme environment testing, and advanced characterisation.
What if we don’t have the in-house expertise to design or run the experiments?
SMEs with limited engineering staff, academics exploring new methods, and RTOs needing rapid capability expansion may lack the technical knowledge to choose the right methodology or interpret complex materials data. When you apply, a Royce technical expert works with you to:
- shape the experimental plan,
- recommend the right techniques
- ensure the work is feasible and aligned with your goals.
Different routes to access the Henry Royce Institutes facilities exist depending on the type of organisation that you work for.
Who is eligible for the Royce access scheme?
Large companies' alternative routes
Companies with over 250 employees or a turnover of more than £54 million are not eligible for the Royce access scheme. However, you can still access the Royce facilities through:
- commercial access
- collaborative research programmes
- alternative Royce-funded projects.
We need to reduce our R&D programme risk, can Royce help?
Yes. Royce provides independent, high‑quality data that supports regulatory compliance and materials selection, helping you to avoid costly recalls or delays.
Our internal validation cycles are slow, can Royce accelerate them?
Yes. Using our facilities and expertise can relieve bottlenecks in in‑house testing, especially when developing new materials or responding to regulatory or customer pressures.
We’re concerned about confidentiality and IP, how is this handled?
We can work with large companies under commercial terms, including confidentiality agreements and clear IP arrangements. Contact a member of the team to discuss your requirements.
Small to medium size companies
UK-based SMEs, start-ups and spin-outs eligible to receive minimal financial assistance can gain funded access to our testing and coating facilities. Note that you will have to cover the cost of the samples and consumables.
What do I need to complete the SME application form?
- Companies’ house number
- Company address
- Innovation problem - what is the aim and scope for your request? Please include details on number samples, material and sample types.
- Royce equipment and/or technique you're requesting access to.
- Location where the equipment is based (look up locations here).
- Details of whether your company has benefitted from the Royce Access Scheme before.
- Read the Terms and Conditions.
- Read the Privacy Policy.
Non-commercial Organisations
UK non-commercial organisations, such as Research Technology Organisations (RTOs), can gain fully-funded access to our facilities through this access scheme. This could be to fill a gap in in-house equipment or to support fast capability expansion. We can provide technology demonstrations, and accelerate validation and method development.
What do I need to complete the non-commercial application form?
- Postcode of your institution.
- The instrument you need to access to and it’s location (look up locations here).
- The work you want to carry out using it.
- If your institution has a facility that would give you similar results, the reason that you aren’t using it.
- Research project or thesis title.
- PI or supervisor name and email address.
- Materials that the samples are made of, including state, all constituents and whether they’re hazardous.
- Sample size length, width, height in mm.
- Number of samples to be investigated/ produced.
- Read Access scheme terms and conditions and privacy policy
Academics, students and technical staff at UK universities
How does this scheme help me to generate high‑quality data for publications or grants?
Funded access lets you use advanced characterisation, extreme‑environment testing and specialist methods not available at your home institution. This strengthens publications, grant applications and industry collaborations.
I’m under time pressure, will this process slow me down?
The scheme is designed to support researchers with tight deadlines. Technical experts help to refine your work package quickly, and facilities schedule access to align with publication, grant or partner milestones.
I’m not familiar with all the techniques available, can someone guide me?
Yes. Royce experts advise on method selection, experimental design and feasibility. This is especially helpful when exploring new areas such as hydrogen materials science or high‑temperature coatings.
How do I apply?
Complete the non-commercial access application form. You will need to gather the same information listed under non-commercial organisations.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after I submit my application form?
- A technical expert reviews your proposal.
- They help refine your experimental plan.
- Access is scheduled at the appropriate facility.
What if I don’t know which equipment I need?
Royce experts will:
- Interpret your challenge,
- Recommend the right techniques,
- Shape a feasible, efficient work package.
This is especially valuable for SMEs with limited technical staff and academics unfamiliar with extreme environment methods.
How is IP handled?
- Royce does not expect to generate IP in most cases.
- Your organisation retains ownership of any IP you bring.
- Partner institutions retain their own background IP.
- Confidentiality agreements can be put in place.
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