Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT)

The AKT competition uses the robust framework and resources of Innovate UK and Innovate UK Business Connect Business for a high quality competition that delivers academic expertise where it is needed.

Unlike traditional Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), AKT is a light touch competition with a streamlined application and a short duration of only 3 months. Qualified associate(s) work with the business to address an identified challenge.

Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has been delivering positive impacts for businesses for nearly 50 years, demonstrating the value of collaboration between businesses and academia.

KTP is ideal for businesses with a clear strategic challenge. But for many, the real challenge is identifying their barriers to being truly innovative and knowing how to overcome them.

For these businesses, a shorter-term, rapid intervention can be the solution. Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer was launched to create these intensive collaborations that impart knowledge and help businesses to:

• identify innovation blockers
• evaluate an innovation concept
• find solutions to immediate and long-term challenges
• accelerate new thinking and processes
• develop new business models and expand capacity

AKT Round 6

Competition opens: Tuesday 26 May 2026

Competition closes: Wednesday 15 July 2026, 11:00am

Innovate UK’s AKT Round 6 will accelerate the evaluation or development of an innovation project or concept, with the potential for a significant impact for the Business Partner.

Projects can be open in scope, but you must first consider how it will align with the Industrial Strategy’s six prioritised sectors by Innovate UK. These are:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Clean Energy Industries
• Creative Industries
• Defence
• Digital and Technologies
• Life Sciences

If your project does not align with one of the six priority sectors, it may still be eligible if it is exploiting a novel area of research and your business meets the criteria for a high growth potential. Innovate UK has indicated that priority will be given to projects that align with the Industrial Strategy.