The 12^th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards launches today (Wednesday, 7^th October, 2026) inviting applications from across Scotland’s universities, colleges, research institutes working with businesses, public and third sector organisations.

The Awards, organised by Interface, celebrate the outstanding people and partnerships working in knowledge exchange, turning ideas into innovations and opportunities into impact.

There are 12 compelling categories to enter this year, recognising everything from pioneering innovations and responsible AI to powerful partnerships and place-based impact:

• Digital Health & Care Innovation – in partnership with Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
• Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Marks & Clerk
• Innovator of the Future – sponsored by Business Gateway
• Inward Investment Impact
• Knowledge Exchange Champion
• Knowledge Exchange Heroes (team and individual awards)
• Making a Social Difference
• Making an Environmental Difference
• Multiparty Collaboration
• Place-based Impact – sponsored by Highlands & Islands Enterprise
• Powerful Partnership
• Responsible AI Collaboration – in partnership with The Data Lab

Dr Dayi Zhang was in the winning team which scooped the 2026 Innovation of the Year Award, with Inspectahire Instrument Co. Ltd and the University of Strathclyde.

He said: “Winning the award meant a great deal to me personally because it recognised not just the research, but the years of collaboration, problem-solving and persistence behind the project. It has helped bring much wider attention to our work, opened up new conversations with industry and academic partners, and has given us real momentum to explore further funding and new applications for the technology.”

Dayi also took home Innovator of the Future in 2025, demonstrating how the Awards can play an important part in career progression, skills development and showcasing the breadth of knowledge exchange activity taking place in Scotland.

Laura Goodfellow, Director of Interface, added: “It is time to recognise the people and collaborative projects making an impact on our lives and the planet. We invite entries from bold and creative collaborations, partnerships and teams of all sizes, and from individuals whose work is driving significant progress and positive change, often beyond the spotlight.

“Dayi, with the University of Strathclyde and Inspectahire Instrument Co. Ltd, are a great example of winners who have really engaged with the Awards and thought about which category to enter at different stages of their collaboration – they impressed both judging panels with the impact they have made during the development of an advanced ultrasound device for the whisky industry.”

The awards are free to enter and the deadline for applications is 5pm, Thursday, 10^th December 2026.

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards ceremony will take place at The Barony Hall, hosted by University of Strathclyde, on Wednesday 24^th March, 2027.

Click here to access the entry toolkit and application forms.

Photo of Dr Dayi Zhang, past double award winner for his research into an advanced ultrasound device for the whisky industry. Picture credit Stewart Attwood.