Wealth of knowledge

Research Councils UK (

) has unveiled details of seven knowledge transfer schemes designed to help researchers and businesses find funding.

The organisation has launched an internet portal with information about the opportunities in areas of collaborative research, commercialisation and development, collaborative training and people exchange.

The site provides a section for case studies that demonstrate ways in which the RCUK knowledge transfer funding scheme has helped entrepreneurs set up their own businesses.

Richard Brown, chief executive of the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE), said: ‘I am delighted that such a useful tool is being launched. The benefit to businesses of having a single point of access for finding out about knowledge transfer funding schemes is immense.

'Industry is always looking for exciting and innovative ways to partner with universities and develop knowledge that can help them pull out of the recession. This will help them,’ he added.

Alison Campbell, managing director of King’s College London Business, added: ‘This is a great initiative providing a gateway for business and the public sector to access the wealth of knowledge - and expertise available at research institutions is essential for the UK as a knowledge economy.

'The portal will complement our own services creating significant partnerships to maximise innovation and to add value to our partners’ business goals and help increase their global effectiveness,’ she added.

RCUK is also launching the RCUK Knowledge Transfer Consultation, which will remain open until the summer. RCUK hopes to gather feedback regarding their knowledge transfer activities from their stakeholders in knowledge transfer. The consultation can be accessed via the KT Portal homepage by clicking here.