The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards celebrate the partnerships between business, third sector, and public sector organisations and academia. Now in its 12th 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 12 categories now open for application are:

• Digital Health & Care Innovation, in partnership with the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre
  • Application form
• Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Marks & Clerk
  • Interface will contact and nominate eligible organisations for this award category
• Innovator of the Future – sponsored by Business Gateway
  • Application form
• Inward Investment Impact
  • Application form
• Knowledge Exchange Champion
  • Application form
• Knowledge Exchange Heroes – team and individual awards
  • Application form
• Making an Environmental Difference
  • Application form
• Making a Social Difference
  • Application form
• Multiparty Collaboration
  • Application form
• Place-based Impact – sponsored by Highlands & Islands Enterprise
  • Application form
• Powerful Partnership
  • Application form
• Responsible AI Collaboration – in partnership with The Data Lab
  • Application form

Check out our toolkit for tips to support your application – download it here.

Key dates:

• Application deadline – 5pm, Thursday 10th December 2026
• Shortlist announcement – 17^th February 2027
• Awards ceremony – 24^th March 2027, The Barony Hall, hosted by the University of Strathclyde

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.