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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:ÌýExchange ideas and experience with people outside academia for theÌýbenefit of society or the economy.ÌýApply for up to £20,000.

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

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

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

Doctoral student internship support and impact projects:ÌýAccess funding for training, an internship with a non-academic organisation or, if you've completed your doctoral studies, a short post at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË to engage in impact-focused activities. Open to UCL-registered doctoral students who haveÌýbeen funded by the EPSRC or BBSRC.ÌýApply for up to £7,000.

Applying research in industry:ÌýWork with an industry partner to move your research towards useÌýor commercialisation. Apply for up toÌý£100,000 Discovery-to-use funding for projects linked to EPSRC-funded research. [schemeÌýclosed.]

Arts, creative and cultural secondments and projects:ÌýCollaborate with arts, creative and cultural organisations via a secondment that puts your AHRC research into practice outside academia. Or apply for seed funding for projects on art tech innovation themes like AI, art markets, law and intellectual property. Apply for up to £15,000. (Contact rebecca.j.robinson@ucl.ac.uk for more information in advance of the full details being published).

Thematic funding calls

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

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.

Future Industries Demonstrator [applications closed]
Apply for up to £5,000 to work with a company on a collaboration to explore reimaging buildings and energy systems for a net zero future.

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.Ìý