The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards is the flagship event that celebrates the partnerships between business, third sector or public sector organisations and academia. Now in its ninth year the annual event recognises, rewards, and celebrates the impacts achieved through these exciting collaborations which deliver economic, environmental and social prosperity for Scotland.

Shine a light on your performance and prepare your award winning entry today! Check out the categories and toolkit, packed with top tips and advice to help you prepare a successful awards entry.

Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024 categories: 

Here are the seven categories open for application, deadline for applications: 5pm, Wednesday 6th December 2023

• Innovation of the Year – Sponsored by HGF Ltd

This award is given for an innovative product, process or service that has been developed by a business, public sector organisation or third sector over the past five years in conjunction with a university, research institute or college partner.

Only organisations that have been supported through the Interface Business Engagement service, or via the Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher programme are eligible to apply for this award. Interface will contact and nominate eligible organisations for this award category. If you would like to enter this category, please get in touch with marketing@interface-online.org.uk or your Business Engagement contact.

• Innovator of the Future

Recognising an individual’s contributions and impact to their field of research and / or organisation while being hosted or sponsored by an organisation for a minimum of three months, in collaboration with a Scottish university, college or research institute. This award is open to KTP Associates, Further Education and Higher Education students or Postgraduate students from research and teaching programmes.
Application Form: download here.

• Knowledge Exchange Champion – Sponsored by PraxisAuril

Recognising an individual in academia (university, college or research institute), business, public sector organisation or third sector organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to Knowledge Exchange.
Application Form: download here.

• Knowledge Exchange Heroes

Recognising an individual or team behind the scenes in an academic research & innovation or research enterprise office who has/have played a pivotal role in assisting knowledge exchange projects between organisations and academia.
Application Form: download here.

• Making an Environmental Difference – Sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland.

Celebrating collaborative projects which have achieved significant environmental impacts that ultimately contribute towards a better and more sustainable future; tackling climate change challenges as well as positively contributing to the Scottish Government’s ambitious net zero targets.
Application Form: download here.

• Making a Social Difference – Sponsored by Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS).

Celebrating collaborative projects which have achieved significant social impacts that contribute towards a better and fairer future; ultimately promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Application Form: download here.

• Multiparty Collaboration

Open to groups of three or more parties working together on an innovative research project; the group must include research partners from Scottish academia and at least one organisation.
Application Form: download here.

Entry toolkit

Discover our entry toolkit with some brilliant hints and tips to help create a great application.

Awards ceremony

The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024 ceremony will be hosted by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Thursday 14^th March 2024.

Sponsorship opportunities

We are looking for partners to support the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2024. Becoming a Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards sponsor provides excellent opportunities for PR, networking and showcasing your organisation to the ‘best in class’ across Knowledge Exchange in Scotland including universities, research institutes, colleges, businesses, public sector and third sector organisations. Take a look at the opportunities available here and contact marketing@interface-online.org.uk for further information.