b'ForewordA FEW WORDS FROM OUR CEOThe UK biofilms community continues to delivertechnologies. Our work with regulatory bodies and world-class science and innovation, drivingstandardisation organisations is enabling credible economic growth and addressing some of the mostproduct claims and supporting the development of pressing global challenges. At the National Biofilmsharmonised biofilm standards across sectors. We are Innovation Centre (NBIC), our mission remainsproud to deliver the Innovate UK ICURe programme clear: to harness the UKs academic and industrialwith SETsquared, supporting early-career researchers strengths in biofilms and translate them intoto explore the commercial potential of their innovations impactful solutions across sectors including health,and accelerate the journey from lab to market.energy, food, water, and the built environment.TRAININGNBICs success is built on our ability to convene and connectacross disciplines, sectors, andOur national Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms borders. Our expanding network of over 300Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) partners, including international collaborators,now integrates both academic and industry-exemplifies our commitment to fostering inclusive,led training, equipping the next generation of interdisciplinary innovation. Together, we areresearchers and entrepreneurs with the skills advancing a national biofilms programme focusedneeded to lead in the UK bioeconomy. NBICs on the Prevention, Detection, Management, andbespoke technical modules and entrepreneurship Engineering (PDME) of biofilms, underpinned byprogrammes ensure our students and partners cutting-edge research and enabling platforms. are prepared to tackle real-world challenges.Our strategic priorities continue to bePOLICY & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTdelivered through four core pillars: NBIC is committed to shaping policy and raising public awareness of biofilms. From presenting at RESEARCH the House of Commons to leading international We are proud to support a dynamic cohort ofstandardisation initiatives, our influence continues Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs) across our fourto grow. Our public engagement activities - founding universities. These Fellows play a pivotal roleincluding the #BiofilmAware campaign, interactive in delivering NBICs PDME research strategy, connectingexhibitions, and educational resourcesare inspiring fundamental science with industrial application. Ourcitizens and future scientists across the UK.research agenda is aligned with UK strategic priorities, including the Life Sciences Sector Plan, Clean EnergyAs we move forward, NBIC remains agile, responsive, Industries Sector Plan, and the UK 5-Year Action Planand ambitious. We are united in our vision: to for AMR. NBICs leadership in establishing globaldeliver transformative science and technologies for standards and biobanking capabilities ensures thecontrolling and exploiting biofilms, and to empower UK remains at the forefront of biofilm science. the research leaders and innovators of tomorrow.- PROFESSOR JO SLATER-JEFFERIES, INNOVATION NBIC CEO, SEPTEMBER 2025Through our Proof of Concept and Flexible Talent Mobility Account programmes, NBIC continues to catalyse academic-industry partnerships and accelerate the translation of biofilm research into market-ready 3'