Applications must be submitted via the Academy’s online grants management system. Submissions should be made by the Head of Institution or an appropriate delegate.
Application and Assessment Process
Applications must be submitted via the Academy’s online grants management system.
Submissions should be made by the Head of Institution or an appropriate delegate such as a Pro Vice‑Chancellor for Research or Innovation of the UK University.
Applications include:
1. Information about the partnership
- Title of the collaboration
- Start date
- Contact details for academic and SME leads
2. Narrative submission (maximum 10 pages)
The narrative should explain:
- The challenge or opportunity the collaboration addresses
- How the partnership works
- The innovation developed through the collaboration
- Evidence of impact
- How the SME has grown or scaled through the partnership
Assessment criteria
The Judging Panel will assess submissions based on:
1. Sustained and Strategic Collaboration
The collaboration should normally have lasted at least two years, be active at the point of submission, and demonstrate engagement beyond a single project or transactional activity.
The panel will look for evidence of:
- A genuine partnership between the university and SME
- Ongoing collaboration across projects, innovation activities, or knowledge exchange
- Clear roles and meaningful contributions from both partners
- Evidence that the collaboration has developed and matured over time
Applications may involve multiple academic teams or departments, reflecting a broader institutional partnership.
2. Exceptional collaboration
Applicants should demonstrate why the collaboration is exceptional and deserving of national recognition.
The panel will consider:
- The strength and depth of the partnership
- The ambition and significance of the work undertaken
- Evidence that the collaboration has delivered notable outcomes or achievements
The panel will consider excellence relative to the context and scale of the SME partner.
3. Originality and distinctiveness
The panel will assess how the collaboration demonstrates innovation or originality.
This may include:
- Development of new technologies, methods, products or services
- A distinctive approach to collaboration or knowledge exchange
- Addressing a challenging or emerging problem in a novel way
4. Benefit to the partners
Applications should demonstrate how the collaboration has strengthened both the SME and the academic institution.
The panel will consider evidence such as:
- New capabilities, knowledge or skills developed
- Commercialisation or product development
- Growth, scaling, or new opportunities created through the partnership
- Strengthened research or innovation capacity within the university
5. Impact on UK society or the economy
The collaboration should demonstrate clear impact or potential impact.
This may include:
- Economic growth or job creation
- Technological advancement
- Regional or sectoral development
- Environmental or societal benefits
Impact may be regional, sector-specific, or focused, but should show meaningful outcomes resulting from the collaboration.
Shortlisting and Final Stage
Up to five finalists will be shortlisted.
Shortlisted teams will be asked to produce a three‑minute video explaining their collaboration and its impact.
Finalists receive £5,000 to support video production or collaborative activity.
Winner will be selected out of 5 finalists and announced at the celebration event.