Built on Partnerships
The ICAM is a hugely successful partnership between bp, The University of Manchester, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Our PartnersSince its launch in 2012, the International Centre for Advanced Materials (ICAM) has supported research ranging from PhD-led exploratory projects to large-scale strategic initiatives involving multiple teams. The Centre has strengthened research capabilities, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and provided students and early career researchers with valuable experience working alongside bp experts. Its model embeds bp Mentors within project teams, ensuring research remains industrially relevant and accelerates translation from laboratory to application.
The ICAM is a hugely successful partnership between bp, The University of Manchester, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Our Partners
In 2025, the ICAM announced the extension of its pioneering academic–industry collaboration framework agreement broadening its scope to cover a wider range of topics including materials, chemistry, catalysis, biosciences, subsurface and more.
Read More About the ICAM's Next Chapter
Delivering a step change in our research that impacts safety, reliability, sustainability and performance.
Setting an international benchmark for university-industry partnerships.
Providing a platform for access to scientific expertise and valuable insights to meet key business needs.
Innovation – Discovering and developing new and more efficient technologies and processes
Excellence – Enduring high standards of safety and technology management
Collaboration – Creating a community with common purpose and mutual trust
Capability – Building skills, capacity and infrastructure
Impact – Delivering solutions that make a real difference to bp and the industry
Sustainability – Driving sustainability, encompassing climate and the environment
Inclusivity – Striving to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and open environment
The ICAM has established links with EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training. These Centres are hosted by UK partner universities adopt a federal approach to delivering and sharing materials training.
The academic partnership between The University of Manchester, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, combines game-changing capabilities in structural materials, corrosion, separations, surfaces, deposits and self-healing materials.
The research programme at the ICAM is guided by our Directors, the Governance Board, and the Programme Management Board, composed of individuals from our partner institutions.
Our alumni carry out research at some of the most prestigious international universities and work at some of the most innovative companies in the world.
Collaborate with the ICAM through either studying or working at one of our partner institutions.
View the opportunities to study for a PhD with one of our university partners.
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We are always looking for talented and passionate people to work as part of our team.
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