UK Government is currently accepting applications for the Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About UK Government - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme
The AKT scheme is a fast-track version of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership model that enables universities and research organisations to work directly with businesses on innovation-focused projects.
Benefits of UK Government - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme
- A project’s total eligible grant costs are £35,000 Projects must be for a duration of 3-months only. A proportion of the Knowledge Base partners’ costs will be funded by Innovate UK.
UK Government - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme Requirements
Through the AKT programme Innovate UK seeks to support innovative businesses with the ambition to scale and grow in the UK.
Each Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) is a partnership between the following:
- a UK Knowledge Base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application
- a UK registered business with four or more full time employees
The following organisations are specifically excluded:
- UKRI organisations and businesses owned or operated either wholly or partially by UKRI or one of its councils
- Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA)
- central government departments and the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- charitable and third sector organisations
Any organisation eligible to become a KTP Knowledge Base may not apply into AKT as a Business Partner.
Knowledge Base partner
The Knowledge Base partner cannot work alone.
The Knowledge Base partner must lead the project and must:
- be a UK registered higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, research technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult
- be eligible to register to participate in the KTP programme, but does not have to be registered with KTP
- invite one UK registered business into the Innovation Funding Service (IFS) application
- Invite the AKT Monitoring Officer to support the application
- not have ownership of 50% or more of the Business Partner or a controlling interest via a shareholder agreement
- recruit Associate roles in a demonstrably fair manner
- recruit an Associate of either 0.5 or 1 FTE
- agree to provide at least 0.25 day per week of academic support for the Associate
- complete the application form in partnership with the business
- submit a current full economic costing (fEC) letter with each application if you are using the full fEC costing model and support the project in accordance with its provision
- Submit a current non-fEC exemption certificate with each application if you are using the non-fEC costing model in accordance with the AKT Cost guidance
- provide the project secretariat
- If applicable, reach an intellectual property (IP) agreement with the Business Partner before the project commences
- ensure that none of the proposed academic team are directors, consultants or otherwise engaged by the business or group
As part of their involvement in the project the Knowledge Base partner must provide a case study to Innovate UK, using the template provided, upon completion of the project.
Business partner
Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a UK Knowledge Base who can provide the right skills to meet the knowledge gap within the business.
We encourage Business Partners to approach Knowledge Bases directly to discuss the suitability of AKT for their specific circumstances.
To collaborate with a Knowledge Base, the Business Partner must:
- be a UK registered business and have four or more full time equivalent employees
- determine the size of their business or group
- declare the total number of employees within the business and if part of a group of businesses, within the group
- complete the application form in partnership with the Knowledge Base partner
- provide the Knowledge Base with evidence of their ability to financially support their contribution
- be able to host the Associate and provide them with supervisory support
- if appliable, reach a written IP agreement with the Knowledge Base before the project commences
The AKT programme is accessible to any UK registered business. This is normally demonstrated on a public register, such as on Companies House.
The registered name and registration number provided must match the official public register.
UK subsidiary businesses of overseas parent companies are eligible, provided they are individually registered in the UK.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
15 July, 2026
Opportunity Application
View details of
UK Government - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme
Apply for UK Government - Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Funding Programme
🔍
