Commercialising Knowledge Asset

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service (IFS).

Application Sections: Project details; application questions covering Knowledge Asset description, commercial development, intellectual property, organisational support, project proposal, project benefits and next steps, team and project management; and financial information.

Assessment Process: Eligibility assessment followed by scoring from three independent panellists. Applications above the ranking threshold are invited to panel assessment and interview.

Co-Funders: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT); Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT)

Collaboration Rules: Applications are open to single applicants. The applicant organisation administers the grant.

Competitiveness: Approximately 50% chance of success based on similar competitions.

Decision Risks: Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met, project costs exceed limits, or the proposal does not demonstrate viable commercialisation potential.

Decision Timeline: Applicants notified on 14 July 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs related to the development and commercialisation preparation of Knowledge Assets.

Eligible Organisation Types: Public Sector Research Establishments (PRSEs); UKRI wholly owned institutes; other public sector bodies meeting GOTT eligibility criteria such as arms-length bodies undertaking research as a primary function.

Eligible Scope: Projects must develop a pre-existing Knowledge Asset with identified commercial potential and move it towards commercialisation readiness.

Funding Intensity: Up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Grant Amount: £50,000 to £250,000

Important Notes: Funding is awarded on a “No Subsidy” basis under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and must not give a selective economic advantage to organisations involved in the project.

Ineligible Projects: Projects focused on fundamental research to create new Knowledge Assets; projects already engaged in economic activity; projects benefiting existing commercial entities not eligible for the scheme; projects subsidising business-as-usual activities; projects benefiting only the applicant organisation or existing users; projects from privately owned companies.

Interview Dates: 7 July 2026 to 9 July 2026

Interview Stage: Yes. Selected applicants present a four-minute pitch followed by questions during a 30-minute online interview.

Key Requirements: Projects must be based on an existing Knowledge Asset, demonstrate a plausible commercial market, and show ownership and rights to use the intellectual property associated with the asset.

Knowledge Asset Definition: Intangible assets held by the organisation such as know-how, expertise, intellectual property rights, design rights, research and development outputs, source code and creative outputs.

Match Funding Requirement: Not required.

Project Duration: 6, 12, or 18 months

Project End Date: By 31 March 2027 (6-month projects); 30 September 2027 (12-month projects); or 31 March 2028 (18-month projects)

Project Start Date: Between 1 September 2026 and 1 October 2026

Publication Date: 2026-01-07 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Follow-on funding may be permitted for previously funded Knowledge Assets if applicants demonstrate successful delivery and additional impact.

Required Application Documents: Letter of support from the applicant organisation; project breakdown template including work packages, Gantt chart, team composition, expenditure and invoicing forecast.

Research Category: Knowledge asset commercialisation development.

Subcontractors: Allowed. Subcontractors can be UK-based or overseas if justification is provided.

Total Fund Available: Not specified