Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) – Spring
Innovate UK · United Kingdom (project work must be carried out in the UK and results intended to be exploited in the UK).
Grant funding to help UK public sector research organisations move viable public sector Knowledge Assets with identified market potential towards commercial readiness and commercialisation. Supports projects that develop existing intellectual property, know-how and research outputs into commercial opportunities. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
7 May 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Grant funding to help UK public sector research organisations move viable public sector Knowledge Assets with identified market potential towards commercial readiness and commercialisation. Supports projects that develop existing intellectual property, know-how and research outputs into commercial opportunities. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Technology agnostic. Applications are encouraged from all sectors where commercially valuable Knowledge Assets exist.
Match funding
None required.
Eligible applicants
Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs), UKRI wholly owned institutes, and other public sector bodies meeting GOTT eligibility criteria that undertake research as a primary function.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£50,000 to £250,000
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects must develop an existing Knowledge Asset with identified commercial potential by advancing it towards market readiness using the Commercialisation Readiness Framework (CRF).
Eligible expenses
- Costs directly related to commercialisation, validation, market development, intellectual property, prototype development and eligible subcontracting.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS).
Competitiveness
Approximately 50% success rate based on similar competitions.
Decision timeline
Applicants notified from 14 July 2026.
Assessment process
Eligibility assessment followed by independent expert review. High-scoring projects are invited to panel interview.
Application sections
- Project details, application questions covering the Knowledge Asset, commercial development, intellectual property, organisational support, project proposal, commercial benefits, project team and finances.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met, commercial potential is weak, ownership of the Knowledge Asset cannot be demonstrated, or the proposal falls outside CKAF scope.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
17 Dec 2025
Project duration
6, 12 or 18 months
Project start
1 Sept 2026
Project end
31 Mar 2027
Co-funders
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT); Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT)
Collaboration rules
- Single applicant only. The applicant organisation receives and administers the grant.
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-04.
Next Expected Opening
Autumn 2026 competition opens 18 May 2026 and closes 1 September 2026. Winter 2026 and Spring 2027 rounds are also planned as part of the ongoing CKAF programme. (GOV.UK)
Research Category
Knowledge asset commercialisation and technology development.
Knowledge Asset Definition
Intangible assets such as know-how, expertise, intellectual property rights, research outputs, software, datasets, source code, designs and creative outputs owned by the applicant organisation.
Subcontractors
Permitted. UK or overseas subcontractors allowed where fully justified.
Interview Stage
Yes. Selected applicants present a 4-minute pitch followed by a 30-minute online interview. Interviews held on 7 or 9 July 2026. (Innovation Funding Service)
Key Requirements
Applicants must own the Knowledge Asset, demonstrate clear commercial potential, show a credible commercialisation pathway, and hold the necessary intellectual property rights.
Important Notes
Funding is awarded on a No Subsidy basis under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and must not provide a selective economic advantage. Projects must not begin before the Grant Offer Letter is signed. The CKAF programme continues with Autumn, Winter and Spring funding rounds. (GOV.UK)
Application deadline in source document
7 May 2026, 11:00 AM UK time (Closed) (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 7 May 2026
- Funding amount
- £50,000 to £250,000
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Technology agnostic. Applications are encouraged from all sectors where commercially valuable Knowledge Assets exist.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 7 Jan 2026