Funding for knowledge exchange and innovation

Apply for funding to exchange ideas and expertise, or accelerate the impact of research, by building links with industry, public sector services and the wider public.

What can be funded?

We support projects from all disciplines and departments.

Projects will generally involve working with external, non-academic partners, to exchange ideas and expertise or accelerate the impact of your research.

Your project could involve exploring or testing the potential of an idea, assessing the commercial potential of your research outputs, setting up an innovation network, or working with a partner to solve a complex challenge.

Regular funding schemes

You can apply for funding from these schemes during the next funding call: 14 October to 8 November 2024.

If you want to discuss your project and which scheme is right for you, please get in touch with the knowledge exchange team (knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.uk). First time applicants are particularly encouraged to speak to the team for advice on writing their application.

You can apply for funding for:

Knowledge exchange initiatives: Exchange ideas and experience with people outside academia for the benefit of society or the economy. Apply for up to £20,000.

Innovation networks: Scope and establish an innovation network to engage with multiple external stakeholders, nurture partnerships, and form an interdisciplinary community. Apply for up to £30,000.

Outward secondments: Put your research into practice outside the academic sector with a secondment. Apply for up to £20,000.

Proof of concept / early stage commercialisation: Test, de-risk or show the potential of your commercial idea. Apply for up to £30,000. 

Doctoral student internship support and impact projects: Access funding for training, an internship with a non-academic organisation or, if you've completed your doctoral studies, a short post at UCL to engage in impact-focused activities. Open to UCL-registered doctoral students who have been funded by the EPSRC or BBSRC. Apply for up to £7,000.

Applying research in industry: Work with an industry partner to move your research towards use or commercialisation. Apply for up to £100,000 Discovery-to-use funding for projects linked to EPSRC-funded research. 

Arts, creative and cultural secondments and projects: Apply for up to £20,000 AHRC IAA funding to spark innovative collaborations with arts, cultural and heritage partners.

Thematic funding calls

These are current or past funding schemes which focus on a particular subject or theme, or respond to a specific opportunity. 

Future Industries Demonstrator [apply by 9 December 2024]
Apply for up to £5,000 to work with a company on a collaboration to explore making urban food systems more culturally diverse, sustainable, secure and healthy.

Quantum proof of concept funding [applications closed]
Apply for up to £50,000 to test, de-risk, and show the commercial potential of your quantum research through an early stage commercialisation project.

Women’s health tech [applications closed]
Apply for up to £5,000 to work with a company or industry partner on a collaboration to explore challenges in women's health tech.

Sources of funding

We receive grants from a number of organisations:

• Research England provides funding through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) to strengthen our engagement with businesses, charities, government and other organisations. It can be used to support a broad range of knowledge exchange projects.
• UK Research and Innovation provide funding through Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs) to boost the economic and social impact of UCL’s research. Grants are specifically available for projects in the AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC and STFC portfolios.