AHRC operates in an environment where Knowledge Transfer (KT) and innovation command an elevated status within government policy frameworks. Arts and humanities research is increasingly recognised by government as a true force in stimulating innovation particularly within the emerging creative and knowledge economies. The AHRC’s Delivery Plan 2008-2011 states the means by which the AHRC will increase the scope, reach and impact of its KT schemes. Through AHRC’s existing KT programme and by introducing new KT initiatives where appropriate, we shall pursue AHRC’s vision and four strategic aims, specifically strategic aims 3 and 4.
AHRC and Scottish Funding Council Knowledge Exchange Programme
The AHRC and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are pleased to announce a call for research based knowledge exchange projects of mutual strategic interest in the field of health and the environment. This funding call forms part of an ongoing strategic partnership between the AHRC and the SFC which aims to explore potential for enhancing knowledge exchange in the arts and humanities in Scotland. Following a consultation with Universities Scotland, the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders we have identified a significant opportunity to improve engagement between the arts and humanities research community in Scotland and the professional healthcare sector.
The paradox of health in Scotland remains as pronounced in the twenty-first century as it was in the nineteenth; why is it that a nation with strong traditions of both public health planning and medical science suffers from such a mixed record on the physical and mental health of its population? Research in the arts and humanities has the potential not only to broaden understandings of what it means to ‘be healthy’ but to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities around Scotland by stimulating innovative approaches to healthcare.
The AHRC SFC Knowledge Exchange Programme aims to:
- support research based knowledge exchange projects that are driven by the clear and strong involvement of non Higher Education Institution (HEI) partners and which lead to significant outcomes for those organisations as well as for the HEI(s);
- promote the contribution that the arts and humanities can make to a healthier Scotland, specifically in the context of the environment and health, and;
- contribute strategically to the Scottish Government’s national objective for a healthier Scotland;
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms/objectives/healthier
For more information on this funding call, and to apply please see the funding opportunities page.
New SBRI Competition - Live well with Dementia
Industry and academia are asked for ideas which will provide innovative approaches to helping patients Live well with Dementia.
NHS South East Coast are seeking new innovations to enable patients with Dementia live independently longer. The desired outcomes of the proposed technology development must cover at least one or more of the following areas:-
• Ensuring people with dementia are able to maintain independence
• Supporting carers by reducing the burden of care placed upon them
• Ensuring equality of healthcare and access to healthcare for people with dementia.
The competition for new ideas and technologies that address the challenge will open on 30th June. Deadline for applications is 9th September.
More detail on the challenge is listed on the Technology Strategy Board website: http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/sbri/living-well-with-dementia.ashx
Grant Funding from the Technology Strategy Board
Two competitions for grant funding that have just been launched by the TSB-
1) £18m – Collaboration across Digital Industries (Opens 14th June for fasttrack projects and 12th July for larger projects)
2) £5m – Metadata: Increasing the Value of Digital Content (Opens 13th September)
Application is by dedicated application form. Further information on how to apply and guidelines for completing the application form can be found at http://www.innovateuk.org/competitions/.
The Creative Industries KTN is running a series of events to assist with building partnerships and projects associated with these competitions. For more information please go to http://creativeindustriesktn.org/.
AHRC's KT Strategy
The high quality of the research base across AHRC's large subject domain offers a rich and powerful source of partnership opportunity for a wide range of user sectors and communities. This is the AHRC's distinctiveness (Unique Selling Point -USP) in KT.
The AHRC aims to create opportunities and incentives that increase the flow, value and impact of world class arts and humanities research from academia to wider non-academic, public and private sectors, and to embed a culture of KT across all its programmes, especially research grants.
AHRC’s KT Strategy 2008 – 2011 focuses on four key areas of activity encompassed by KT in the AHRC and sets out statements of intent under each of those areas:
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Policy development and advocacy
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Building and sustaining strategic partnerships
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Connecting partners
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Generic strategies to support KT
The 
KT Strategy 2008-11 (198kb) is available to read in full.
KT Portal
Research Councils UK is pleased to announce the development of a Knowledge Transfer (KT) Portal to serve as a single point of access to information about Research Council KT activities. The KT Portal is a product of the RCUK KT harmonisation & branding project, and organises activities under four broad headings: Collaborative Research, Collaborative Training, People & Information Exchange and Commercialisation & Development. The portal will be formally launched on 25 February 2009, and will be accompanied by a consultation on Research Council support for KT.
Further information
Find out more about our bespoke funding opportunities by going to the browse opportunities page and selecting Knowledge Transfer from the 'Research Type' drop down menu.
Our selection of case studies evidences the range of KT projects we support and their impacts.