Research and Knowledge ExchangeResearch and Knowledge Exchange

Funding for knowledge exchange

Not sure how to fund your knowledge exchange activity? We can suggest the most appropriate grant and help you make the best of your application.

This page includes the most significant grant opportunities for knowledge exchange. Please contact us to discuss as there may be other opportunities depending on your project. We are also very happy to advise and read drafts of your application.

Note that research funders increasingly ask for a knowledge exchange programme to be included within grants. For information on research funding opportunities, please scroll down for the link to Edinburgh Research and Innovation's webpage.

Students chatting at a table

CHSS Knowledge Exchange Grant

The College of Humanities and Social Science (CHSS) Knowledge Exchange (KE) small grants may be given for KE projects engaging industry, policy, professional practice or the public with the purpose of mutual exchange and benefit.

There are three deadlines a year; for 2012-13 the next deadline is 26th April 2013. The application form and guidance can be downloaded from the link below. Please note that all successful applicants are required to complete a simple follow-up report following the end of the project - see separate guidance below.

Please note that you should submit your application to your respective School (or ECA) Research office for authorisation and ranking on that day. They will then forward your application on to the CHSS KE office.

Please contact Anne-Sofie Laegran at a.s.laegran@ed.ac.uk with any queries before you submit your application.

ESRC Knowledge Exchange Opportunities

The Economic and Social Research Council (ERSC) Knowledge Exchange opportunities scheme covers activities at all stages of the research process; from setting up networks to help inform the first stages of research; to the development of activities designed to apply previous research to policy and practice issues (previously covered by the ESRC Follow on Fund Scheme).

Please note this is a collaborative scheme and, as such, all applications must include 50% co-funding from partner organisations. This may be cash or in-kind.

The scheme re-opens in April 2013 with an open deadline. Edinburgh has had several awards under this scheme so please contact a.s.laegran@ed.ac.uk for advice.

For further details of the scheme, including how to apply, please click on the following link:

AHRC Follow-on Funding for Innovation, Creativity and Engagement

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Follow-on Funding scheme is open to current and previous AHRC award holders for additional knowledge exchange activities that use innovation and creativity in engaging new audiences to increase the benefit of research. Up to £100,000 is available over one year.

Edinburgh has had several awards under this scheme, so please contact a.s.laegran@ed.ac.uk for advice.

Please click on the following link for further details of the scheme:

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Awards

AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Awards provide funding for a student doing their PhD with a non-academic organisation co-supervised by an academic and non-academic supervisor. The academic and the organisation develop the proposal and application. This programme has one deadline a year.

The ESRC does not have an open call for collaborative studentships but collaboration is strongly emphasised in the new Doctoral Training Centre so there will be opportunities to work with external organisations there.

Scottish Funding Council Innovation voucher

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has an Innovation voucher scheme to facilitate relationships between academia and Scottish Small and Medium Enterprises (private or third sector). The award is up to £5,000. The sum applied for needs to be matched in cash or in kind by the company. Please contact us before applying for one of these.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership grant provides funding for an associate to solve a problem for a non-academic organisation under supervision of an academic. The partner provides some of the costs towards the programme.

Funding for enterprise and commercialisation

There are a series of funding opportunities from Scottish Enterprise and other organisations for developing ideas towards a commercial market. Please contact us for advice on these options.

Successful applications

Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI) retains a dossier of successful applications including several for AHRC and ESRC knowledge exchange schemes. Please contact us for advice if you cannot find what you are looking for.

Knowledge Exchange Enquiries College of Humanities and Social Science
1-7 Roxburgh Street
Edinburgh EH8 9TA
Tel: +44 (0)131 651 4203
Email:

Accessibility menu