Key Features
UK registered government research organisations can apply for grants from £50,000 up to £250,000 to move viable public sector knowledge assets towards commercial readiness. This funding is provided by the Government Office for Technology Transfer.
Programme: Innovate UK
Award: Share of up to £250,000
Opens: 17th Sep 2026
Closes: 1st Dec 2026
The Department for Business Innovation, Science and Trade alongside Innovate UK are funding up to £250,000 in the Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund – Winter competition. This competition is run by the Government Office for Technology Transfer.
The aim of this competition is to support organisations to move viable public sector Knowledge Assets (KAs) with identified market potential towards commercialisation. Proposals must be based on pre-existing identified Knowledge Asset, as defined in the Rose Book, and demonstrate a viable potential commercial market for the KA.
To be eligible for this award, projects must have a total grant funding request of between £50,000 and £250,000 with projects lasting for either 6,12 or 18 months. Projects must be based on a pre-existing identified KA, describing a potential commercial market with ownership of the KA. Project work must be carried out in the UK with results exploited from or in the UK. Projects must start between 1st March and 1st April 2027 and end by 30th September 2027 (6 months), 31st March 2028 (12 months or 30th September 2028 (18 months).
Lead Organisation: To lead a project across several organisations or just your own, organisations must be a public sector research establishment, UKRI wholly owned institute or other public sector bodies that meet GOTT standard eligibility criteria. You must be able to submit a signed letter of support from your organisation at a senior level demonstrating the appropriate level of support and have ownership of the identified KA and the rights to use and commercially exploit intellectual property that might be generated during the project.
Subcontractors: Subcontractors are allowed in this competition and can be from anywhere in the UK. Overseas subcontractors can be used, but you must state why UK subcontractors could not be used in your application.
Number of applications: Eligible government research organisations can lead on any number of applications. Multiple applications to develop the same Knowledge Asset in the same call are not allowed. Additional applications for the same Knowledge Asset in later calls are allowed.
Previous applications: Previously submitted applications can be used in this competition.
Innovate UK are not funding the following projects:
Total eligible project cost will be 100% funded. Total eligible project costs detailed within your application must not exceed the maximum project size. If total eligible project costs do not exceed the maximum, then your application will be made ineligible.
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