Innovate UKCloses in 16 daysIncluded in GrantPartner*Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Winter
Government Office for Technology Transfer fund, administered by Innovate UK, giving UK public sector research organisations £50,000–£250,000 (100% funded) to move pre-existing Knowledge Assets with identified markets towards commercialisation. Projects of 6, 12 or 18 months starting 1 Mar–1 Apr 2027. Opens 17 September 2026, closes 1 December 2026 11:00am; shortlisted applicants interviewed in January 2027.
- Funding
- £250k-£1m
- Total eligible grant funding request between £50,000 and £250,000 per project.
- Closes
- 1 December 2026
- Applicants
- Collaborative
- UK government research organisations only, including Public Sector Research Establishments, UKRI wholly owned institutes and other public sector bodies meeting GOTT eligibility, such as arm's length bodies with research as a primary function. Applicants must own the Knowledge Asset and provide a senior letter of support.
What this competition funds
- Projects that move a pre-existing public sector Knowledge Asset towards commercial readiness.
- Commercialisation work on Knowledge Assets with identified markets, in any sector.
- Projects lasting 6, 12 or 18 months, with 100% of eligible project costs funded.
Who can apply?
- Lead applicant
- UK government research organisations only, including Public Sector Research Establishments, UKRI wholly owned institutes and other public sector bodies meeting GOTT eligibility, such as arm's length bodies with research as a primary function. Applicants must own the Knowledge Asset and provide a senior letter of support.
- Partners and collaborators
- Single and collaborative applications are indicated, and subcontractors are allowed. Applicants should confirm eligible collaborator types, roles and collaboration requirements in the official brief.
- Worth checking
- UK-wide. Universities, local government, devolved administrations' bodies, NHS trusts, public corporations and private companies, including spin-outs, are not eligible applicants.
What assessors look for
01
Need and market opportunity
Explain the identified market for the Knowledge Asset and the customer need it addresses. Show what currently prevents the asset from progressing towards commercial readiness.
02
Innovation and asset potential
Describe the pre-existing Knowledge Asset, evidence your organisation's ownership and explain its distinctive commercial potential. Clearly separate what already exists from what the proposed project will advance.
03
Impact and value for money
Set out the commercialisation progress the grant would enable and link each eligible cost to that progress. Justify the funding request within the £50,000 to £250,000 range rather than treating full funding as a reason to maximise the budget.
04
Delivery and team
Build a realistic plan for the chosen 6, 12 or 18 month duration, with clear milestones and responsibilities. Explain how senior support and any subcontractors will help deliver the work, and confirm the formal assessment criteria in the official brief.
Where applications usually lose marks
- Describing an interesting asset without evidence of an identified market or a clear route towards commercial readiness.
- Leaving organisational eligibility, Knowledge Asset ownership or the required senior letter of support unclear.
- Presenting a budget and work plan that do not explain what commercialisation progress the requested funding will achieve.
How GrantUp can help
Our specialist bid writers build the scoring case, budget and narrative with you, with an over 82% success rate per engagement and over £190m secured for clients. Grant funding engagements have a minimum upfront setup fee starting from £1,750, plus a success fee payable on award. The scope and success fee are agreed before work starts. We do not take equity.
This competition is also covered by GrantPartner. GrantPartner is a paid six month grant programme with the cost spread in monthly payments, a rolling portfolio of bids and a success fee on award. If no funding is awarded during the programme, we extend it.
Discuss this grantFrequently asked questions
How much funding can a project receive?
The total eligible grant funding request must be between £50,000 and £250,000 per project. Funding covers 100% of total eligible project costs on a no subsidy basis. The overall competition budget is not stated in the listing. Applicants should confirm eligible cost categories in the official brief.
Which organisations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are UK government research organisations, including Public Sector Research Establishments, UKRI wholly owned institutes and other public sector bodies meeting GOTT eligibility. Applicants must own the Knowledge Asset and provide a senior letter of support. Universities, local government, devolved administrations' bodies, NHS trusts, public corporations and private companies, including spin-outs, are excluded.
Can we collaborate or use subcontractors?
The listing indicates that single and collaborative applications are possible, and subcontractors are allowed. It does not specify collaborator eligibility or detailed partnership requirements. Applicants should confirm these in the official brief, particularly before assigning a role to an organisation that is not eligible to apply.
How should we prepare and submit an application?
Consult the official Innovate UK brief to confirm the submission route, required documents and assessment process. Prepare evidence of organisational eligibility, Knowledge Asset ownership, the identified market and a costed commercialisation plan, alongside the required senior letter of support. The listing states that shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
Programme at a glance
- Funding
- £250k-£1m
- Funder
- Innovate UK
- Region
- UK-wide
- Partners required
- Yes
- Next deadline
- 1 December 2026
Why GrantUp
- Over 82% success rate per engagement
- Over £190m secured for clients
- Specialist technical bid writers
Considering Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund (CKAF) Winter?
Talk through your project with a specialist and find out whether this is the right competition before you invest time in an application.