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If you would like to explore opportunities to engage with people outside academia and develop collaborative projects, you could get knowledge exchange funding.

What is knowledge exchange?

Knowledge exchange (KE) is a process that connects you with communities beyond the university to exchange ideas, evidence and expertise. It emphasises a two-wayÌýexchange of learning and helps you use your knowledge to benefit society and the economy, bringing what you've learnedÌýback into the university.

Who can apply

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº academic staff working in any subject discipline and at any stage in their careers can apply for funding. Early career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Professional services staff can also apply for Knowledge Exchange funding from ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™s Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) allocation.

What projects qualify

Your proposal should demonstrate:

• engagement with non-academic users or collaborators, such as businesses, public sector services, charities or the wider public
• how you'll bring their input or expertise back into the project and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº
• how your project will contribute to society or the economy
• how your project builds on your work at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº
• if applicable, how it maximises the impact of research aligned with , , or 'sÌýportfoliosÌý(note ESRC opportunities will return in 2025)

Projects could include, among others:Ìý

• strengthening or exploring the development ofÌýa partnership
• designing and delivering workshopsÌýor events where you’re working with non-academic collaborators
• informing public policy

Further details onÌýeligibility requirements can be found in our knowledge exchange and innovation fundingÌýguide (Word).

Funding detailsÌý

Amount

You can apply for up to:

• £5,000 to explore the potential of an early-stage project idea with a partner organisation (stage 1)
• £20,000 for more developed projects (stage 2). For example, your project may be building on an existing collaboration or the success of a previous project

Stage 1 funding is aimed at those who are exploring knowledge exchange for the first time, in particular early career researchers. Stage 1 applications will be assessed using simplified criteria.

If you’re unsure which stage your project is at, get in touch with the Knowledge Exchange team (knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.uk) to discuss.

Start date

You can decide the most suitable start date for your project, but the earliest you can start is:

• 24 February 2025 for HEIF projects
• 3 March 2025 for IAA projects

This is to allow time for the processing of your award and to ensure funds are available for your project start.

Duration

For IAA projects, funds must be spent fully by 31 March 2026. Projects can be of any length, so long as they end by 31 March 2026.

For HEIF projects, funding can cover up to 12 months of activity.

When to apply

Applications will open onÌý14 October and close at 23:59 on 8 November 2024.

We'll aim to notify you of your outcome by Thursday, 20 February.

Submissions received outside published call dates will not be considered.

How to apply

We'd encourage you to speak to theÌýKnowledge Exchange team (knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.uk) early for advice on your application’s eligibility, whatever stage of development your project is at.Ìý

1. Read ourÌýknowledge exchange and innovation fundingÌýguideÌý(Word) for advice on completing your application and details ofÌýthe documents we’ll need to see.
2. Read ourÌýguide to using the web applicationÌýform (Word), and what information you'll need to have to hand before starting.
3. Fill in theÌý. (You'll need your ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº login. Only one person can access the form. You can save and return to the form at any time.)

You can use theÌýapplication template (Word)Ìýto share information with co-investigators or other colleagues if this is helpful.ÌýBut applications must be submitted via the web application form (emailed applications will not be accepted).

If you have any feedback on the web form, please send it to knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.ukÌýso we can improve the process.

After you apply

1. Your proposal will be assessed by a member of theÌýteam toÌýassess its eligibility andÌýmake sure it matches the funding criteria.
2. If it does, two members of innovation-engaged ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº staff will review it. Your application will be assessed on its suitability for the scheme, feasibility, and potential for impact.
3. Applications up to £5,000 will be assessed using a simplified criteria. The Knowledge Exchange team will take the decision and make a recommendation.Ìý
   For applications up to £20,000, the Knowledge Exchange team will consider the recommendations made by reviewers and make a recommendation to the Executive Director, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Innovation & Enterprise on whether to award or decline. They’ll make the final decision. The same criteria are applied in both cases.Ìý

Funding sources

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2022-26
• Economics and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2023-28
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2022-26
• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2022-26
• Research England,ÌýHigher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)