Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund
The Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund (GKEF) is an internal investment fund established by the University of Glasgow to support staff in delivering a wide range of knowledge exchange activities that strengthen relationships with non-academic partners and maximise the potential for research impact in any sector.
GKEF enables researchers to pursue impactful projects in partnership with non-academic organisations including businesses, charities, third sector, and public services across the world and many within Glasgow.
During the Financial Year 2026-2027, GKEF will hold only one round of funding for its Flexible and Enabling Funds.
To find out more GKEF elibility, scope and funding process, see below.
About the fund
How to apply
GKE Small Grants
Please contact the University’s Research Impact and Engagement team directly at RIandE@gla.systa-s.com for a pre-application discussion and more information on how to apply.
GKE Flexible Fund and GKE Enabling Fund
- Applicants must read the GKEF Privacy Notice March 2026 prior to submitting their applications. This document explains how the University will process your data.
- The GKEF 2026-2027 Application Form should be submitted via Qualtrics. The Qualtrics portal is accessed via your University single sign-on (GUID). If you encounter any issues with the GKEF Qualtrics form, please reach contact RIandE@gla.systa-s.com.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant(s) to ensure that all proposed activities are in accordance with the University’s Code of Ethics, and other standards and guidelines.
- Applicants will be expected to have completed the Equality and Diversity e-learning module in accordance with University policy.
Letters of support from external collaborators should be submitted via email to the Knowledge Exchange and Impact team at RIandE@gla.systa-s.com. If your application has a commercial aspect, then we would expect an ADDITIONAL letter of support from the IP & Commercialisation manager supporting your College. ONLY letters of support should be submitted via email to the Knowledge Exchange & Impact team at RIandE@gla.systa-s.com.
Full applications will be assessed by the GKE fund reviewer pool and panel. The reviewer pool comprises UofG academics from a range of career stages and disciplines drawn from across the whole University, with additional insights from relevant Professional Services staff. The Panel comprises:
- Professor Chris Pearce, VP Research & KE
- Professor Gerard Graham, Dean for Research, MVLS
- Professor Graeme Roy, Dean of External Engagement, CoSS
- Professor Margaret Lucas, Dean for Research, CoSE
- Professor Michael Brady, Dean for Research, CoAH
Application deadline
The GKEF 2026 Call for the Flexible Fund and Enabling Fund closes May 19, 2026 at 11 am.
Support for GKEF applicants
An online information session and an application workshop have been arranged. Please refer to the all staff email for more information including dates and registration links.
Please make sure you reach out the Research Impact & Engagement team in Research Services at RIandE@gla.systa-s.com or your College Impact Team/Knowledge Exchange Associates to discuss prospective projects prior to application.
This conversation should help strengthen applications and provide advice on scope, eligibility, costing, letters of support and the submission process. We may call on the appropriate College or Professional Services contacts (depending on the focus of the project, e.g. commercialisation, public engagement, etc.) to be part of these conversations, if the applicant has not contacted them already.
Applicants may also contact Mariana Rios Maldonado at RIandE@gla.systa-s.com if they have any further questions.