Government boost to commercialise university research

Funding for university research commercialisation will increase through enhancements to the Commercialisation Partner Network programme, and alongside co-investment from Universities will lift overall investment.

The initiative will begin with a pilot in 2026/27, ahead of full investment from 1 July 2027. This funding complements broader changes supporting science-led start-ups as part of the Government’s science sector reforms.

The increased support sits alongside a new national Intellectual Property (IP) Management Policy for publicly funded research taking effect from tomorrow.

The IP changes give researchers greater control over inventions and stronger incentives to turn ideas into commercial opportunities.

New Commercialisation Engagement Guidelines will support researchers, universities, and partners to work together more effectively as ideas move to market.

New national Intellectual Property (IP) Management Policy and Commercialisation Engagement Guidelines.

Research commercialisation