Delegation

Nexus

Accelerating Mission Driven R&D

20 to 24 July 2026 · Cambridge, UK · Delivered by IfM Engage

NEXUS is a new strategic program designed by University of Cambridge experts in collaboration with CII to empower senior leaders at the intersection of science, technology, innovation and policy to translate research excellence into scalable impact. Convened by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and delivered by IfM Engage at the University of Cambridge, the initiative brings together talented leaders from across industry, academia, government and the innovation ecosystem to accelerate value realization from mission-driven R&D.

Hosted in the intellectually vibrant City of Cambridge, with its acclaimed University at the heart of one of the world's most successful innovation and technology clusters, the program provides opportunities to engage with global thought leaders, renowned faculty and innovation ecosystem leaders as well as learn powerful collaboration tools.

The interdisciplinary Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) undertakes research across technology, management, policy with an overarching mission to Manufacture a Better World. Its established knowledge transfer company, IfM Engage, enables impact by working with governments, industry and academia through consultancy and the delivery of bespoke education programs.

The CII Nexus Program is envisioned to equip next-generation leaders with strategic foresight, global perspectives, and executive frameworks to architect, govern, and scale mission-driven R&D and innovation ecosystems, aligned with global benchmarks and emerging technology frontiers.

What Will Learners Gain from the Program?

The proposed program seeks to enrich participants with a deeper understanding of successful mission-driven R&D and facilitates the building of effective innovation ecosystems. During the program, participants will:

01 Develop a strategic understanding of a complex and changing global environment.
02 Appreciate international, national, regional and local innovation ecosystems and how they intersect.
03 Explore a combined perspective on industrial and innovation policy, the links to different types of policy mission, and the instruments that can be deployed.
04 Focus on mission-driven R&D systems, analysing the range of different actors and the value they contribute to create innovation-led transformation.
05 Review global benchmarks in mission-oriented innovation systems and the implications on large-scale R&D program design.
06 Learn key collaboration approaches and tools to enable groups of different stakeholders to work together to accelerate the development of effective innovation ecosystems.
07 Build enduring and collaborative networks.

The Learning Experience

A five-day immersive and highly interactive executive learning experience in Cambridge with a curated cohort of senior decision-makers from industry, academia, and government. Participants will engage in:

Faculty masterclasses led by globally recognized experts on leading innovation, technology, and R&D ecosystems

Interactive case discussions addressing real-world challenges in mission-driven research and innovation

Strategic dialogues with leaders shaping innovation agendas

Visits to key parts of the Cambridge innovation ecosystem

Workshops to deploy frameworks or approaches

Networking with technology, innovation and policy experts

Activities to experience inspirational Cambridge including a formal College dinner

Indicative Timetable

Five days of intensive, structured learning at the University of Cambridge · 20–24 July 2026

Timing	Monday 20 July	Tuesday 21 July	Wednesday 22 July	Thursday 23 July	Friday 24 July
08:30 – 09:00	Welcome and introduction to Cambridge	Guided reflection of Day 1 and intro to Day 2	Guided reflection of Day 2 and intro to Day 3	Guided reflection of Day 3 and intro to Day 4	Guided reflection of Day 4 and intro to Day 5
09:00 – 10:30	Strategic perspectives on technology driven innovation opportunities	Combining Industrial and Innovation Policy Perspectives	Exploring examples of Mission Driven R&D systems and the value generated	Introduction to Strategic Technology Management collaborative approaches	Case Example e.g. UK High Value Manufacturing
10:30 – 11:00	Break	Break	Break	Break	Break
11:00 – 12:30	Technology and Innovation Management; evolutionary perspectives	Policy Missions and Modern Industrial and Innovation Systems	Global benchmarks in mission-oriented innovation systems	National, Sector and Technology Roadmaps – which approach is better and in what circumstances	Building and managing an effective innovation system – multiple stakeholder perspectives
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13:30 – 15:00	The Cambridge Innovation Ecosystem	Policy Cycle and Instruments with multiple case examples of success and failure	Innovation Ecosystems – how different actors support a range of impact pathways	Ecosystem Strategy – how to identify and evaluate value from collaborations. Theory and practice. Workshop in groups focus on different R&D ecosystems.	Leading innovation ecosystems – Keynote speaker
15:00 – 15:30	Break	Break	Break	—	Break
15:30 – 17:00	Visit to Cambridge West Innovation Campus and IfM Speaker – Industrial Policy	Workshop – Mapping innovation ecosystems with international examples	Explore inspirational Cambridge	—	Programme reflection, insight capture and priorities for action. Certificate ceremony.
Evening	Networking and Welcome dinner at IfM	Free evening	Free Evening	Formal Cambridge College Dinner	Depart / optional night

Who Is This Program Designed For?

High potential leaders with at least 8 years of relevant experience shaping the future of research, innovation, and policy.

Government & Policy Leadership

Policymakers, government officials, and leaders from public research bodies and mission-driven Section 8 organisations.

Industry Leadership

Senior executives responsible for corporate strategy, innovation, technology, and global growth across industry.

Academic & Research Leadership

Vice Chancellors, Directors, Deans, and senior academic leaders responsible for research strategy and industry collaboration.

Entrepreneurs & Deep-Tech Founders

Founders and entrepreneurs building science-led, deep-tech, and research-driven enterprises.

Innovation Ecosystem Leaders

Leaders overseeing R&D, regulatory, corporate affairs, and technology commercialisation from research parks, incubators and accelerators.

Family Businesses & Strategic Foundations

Next-generation leaders from family-owned businesses and foundations advancing innovation and technology-led growth.

Cohort Size

28–35

Curated Senior Leaders

To ensure a highly interactive and high-quality learning environment, the program will be delivered to a carefully curated cohort of 28–35 senior leaders. This selective size enables rich peer exchange and deep faculty engagement across diverse disciplines.

Participants are drawn from industry, academia, government and the broader innovation ecosystem—creating a genuinely interdisciplinary environment.

Maximum 3 places available for any single organisation

Nominations & Participation Process

Participation is selective and nomination-based, ensuring a distinguished cohort and high-quality peer learning environment. The nomination process follows a structured review framework:

01

Expression of Interest

Submission of an expression of interest by prospective participants or nominated representatives via a form available on the CII website.

Deadline: 22 April

02

Cohort Review

A review of participant profiles by the CII IAP Forum leadership with the IfM Engage Program Director will take place to recommend a balanced and distinguished cohort.

Review Date: 27 April

03

Participation Confirmation

Selected participants will receive formal confirmation from the CII Program Team along with further details regarding the program schedule and engagement process.

Confirmed By: 30 April

Program Fee

A minimum group of 28 delegates is required to enable the program to take place.

INR 6,90,000

Per participant for the five-day executive leadership program
Excluding CII Service Fee · GST / VAT applicable as per prevailing regulations

This Fee Includes

Immersive full-time 5-day program inclusive of all activities, daytime refreshments and a hot lunch
Accommodation in Cambridge (5 nights) on B&B basis – single occupancy from Sunday 19 to Thursday 23 July
Cambridge certificate of attendance and digital badge
A networking and Welcome dinner at IfM
A Cambridge Historic College Dinner

*It is possible to bring a partner to share your accommodation but there are no children allowed. A £30 + VAT per night charge applies for partners, which includes the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning only. Partners are not permitted to join the program.

This Fee Excludes

International Travel
Transfer to Cambridge from arrival airport
Transfer from Cambridge to departure airport or next destination
Dinners on three evenings – there are many excellent options in Cambridge

CII Service Fee

A flat service fee per delegate for the entire 5-day program. GST / VAT will be applicable as per prevailing regulations.

Participant Category	1 Delegate	2 Delegates	3 Delegates
CII Member – Private Industry / Private Academia / Section 8 / Startup	₹1,15,000	12% discount	15% discount
CII Non-Member – Private Industry / Private Academia / Section 8 / Startup	₹1,25,000	12% discount	15% discount
Public Sector (CII Member & Non-Member)	₹85,000	12% discount	15% discount

Note: Discounts apply to the base service fee per delegate when multiple participants are nominated by the same organization. GST / VAT will be charged additionally as applicable.

Leadership Program