Innovation funding

Need funding to support your collaboration with an external partner? The Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) can provide advice on possible sources and mechanisms of funding, as well as guidance on how to apply and maximise your chances of success.

For academics, engaging in innovation activity can be a great way to develop and strengthen links with external partners. It also provides the opportunity to scale up and demonstrate research in real-world settings, and to experience first-hand the direct impacts from research exploitation. Innovation activities can directly contribute to the University’s REF performance and will become even more significant for institutional benchmarking in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).

Innovation funding is used to "bridge the gap" in development between early-stage technology resulting from university research, and its commercialisation. Such funding helps business to de-risk strategic projects and provide an opportunity for change.

UKRI (Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England) is the main provider of innovation funding in the UK, and gives funds directly to both businesses and universities.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can be a great way for academics to develop long-term relationships with innovative businesses by embedding research expertise.

For academics with established industry links, larger-scale innovation funding available through Innovate UK provides opportunities to speed up the adoption of new technologies for the benefit of businesses, government organisations and the public.

In the KTC we provide intelligence, advice and support for academics wishing to apply for Innovate UK or other Innovation grants. We have listed some key funding mechanisms – if you would like to discuss the most suitable funding route for your proposal please contact us.