Launch of £13m Fund for Public Sector Knowledge Assets

UK public sector organisations can apply for grants to better exploit high-potential intangible assets.

The Knowledge Assets Grant Fund is available to support the identification and development of existing public sector knowledge assets, including their repurposing, commercialisation or expanded use. These assets may include intellectual property, data, innovation, software and knowhow.

Projects must generate social, financial or economic benefits to the UK, and seek funding to develop a knowledge asset or assets that are majority owned by the UK government organisation applying for funding.

The programme has a total of £13 million of available funding over three years, with £2.9 million allocated to this financial year. Funding is available in three bands:

• Explore Grant (up to and including £25,000)
• Expand Grants (£25,000 to £100,000)
• Extend Grant (£100,000 to £250,000)

The funding can be used for discrete projects or may contribute to a specific stage in asset development. Projects could get up to 100% funding for eligible costs.

Projects must be led by UK public sector organisations, such as central UK government departments, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), arm’s length bodies, public sector research establishments (R&D institutes sponsored directly by government departments or the seven UK Research Councils, such as certain government labs) and NHS trusts.

From 2022 to the end of March 2023 there will be three assessment rounds. The deadline for the first round of submissions is 18 August 2022.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)