The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
Applications are now open!
The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards celebrate the partnerships between business, third sector, and public sector organisations and academia. Now in its 11th year, this flagship event recognises and rewards exceptional collaborations that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for Scotland.
Winning a Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award is more than recognition, it shines a spotlight on collaboration, demonstrates real impact, and raises the profile of those driving innovation across business, academia, and their partners.
The awards are free to enter, and the 11 categories now open for application are:
Innovation of the Year
Sponsored by Marks & Clerk
Awarded for an innovative product, process, or service developed through collaboration between a business, public, or third sector organisation and a university, college, or research institute.
This category is open to collaborative projects that have been facilitated by the Interface Innovation Engagement service or supported through Interface-managed funding schemes. These include the Innovation Voucher Programme (Standard, Student Placement, and Advanced Innovation Vouchers), the Healthier Products Innovation Fund for Scotland, and the Scottish Food & Drink Net Zero Challenge Fund.
Interface will contact and nominate eligible organisations for this award category. If you would like to enter this category, please contact marketing@interface-online.org.uk
Innovator of the Future
Sponsored by Business Gateway
Recognises the achievements and impact of an individual who has made significant contributions to knowledge exchange projects.
Inward Investment Impact
Showcases knowledge exchange projects where businesses outside Scotland have collaborated with Scottish academia, resulting in positive impacts for Scotland.
Knowledge Exchange Champion
Celebrates an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing knowledge exchange activities and raising awareness of their impact.
Knowledge Exchange Heroes – team & individual awards
Recognises the individuals and teams, working behind the scenes, who have played pivotal roles in supporting knowledge exchange activities.
Making a Social Difference
Celebrates knowledge exchange projects that have made a significant positive social impact.
Making an Environmental Difference
Recognises knowledge exchange projects that have made a meaningful impact on the environment.
Multiparty Collaboration
Recognises consortia and groups collaborating on innovative knowledge exchange projects.
Place-based Impact
Sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Celebrates collaborative initiatives that bring together partners from across Scotland to deliver targeted, positive outcomes for specific regions or local communities.
Research & Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care
In Partnership with The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)
Celebrates digitally enabled knowledge exchange projects that have made a significant positive impact on health and social care.
Trailblazing AI Collaboration
In Partnership with The Data Lab
This award celebrates the partnerships driving innovation at the forefront of Scotland’s data and AI ecosystem. Awarded for an innovative product, process, or service which has been adopted/will be quickly adopted and represents significant value to Scotland.
Download the application form.
Key dates:
- Application deadline – 5pm, Thursday 11th December 2025
- Shortlist announcement – 11th February 2026
- Awards ceremony – 19th March 2026, MacRobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling
Check out our toolkit for tips to support your application – download it here.
We will also be hosting an online session to talk through the categories, eligibility criteria and to answer any questions you may have. 10am, Thursday 30th October. Sign up here.
Please share this with your colleagues and networks to give as many as possible the chance to enter.
Sponsorship
Explore the sponsorship opportunities to showcase your support for innovation, boost your visibility, and celebrate the success of Scotland’s thriving business-academic community. Find out more here.
Interface, who organise the awards, are funded by the Scottish Funding Council and are hosted by Edinburgh Innovations Ltd.