The London Development Agency’s new London Knowledge Transfer Awards are to be launched this evening (4 September) at UCL in London. The scheme is designed to recognise the success of knowledge transfer collaborations within London. The awards aim to raise awareness of the benefits of using this resource, and access to it, by seeking out best practice within the city.
The awards, say the organisers, will showcase the very best collaborations between London based businesses and the knowledge base. The UK is recognised as one of the strongest countries in the world for research and scientific discovery and London has a world leading knowledge base, comprising education establishments and research organisations, together with the structure to transfer that knowledge.
Emma Shelley, Senior Development Manager at the LDA, said: “Innovation is fundamental to higher productivity and business growth; education and research establishments are key partners to take it forward. We are looking for individuals and organisations that excel at transferring the knowledge from the knowledge base into practical use within the commercial world. Our message is simple; if you are engaged in knowledge transfer within London, then you should get involved with the London Knowledge Transfer Awards.”
The inaugural 2008 London Knowledge Transfer Awards will comprise six individual Categories and one overall top achievement award, The Knowledge Transfer Collaboration of 2008. The individual categories are: The Knowledge Transfer Champion; Knowledge Base Collaboration Award; Collaborative Innovation Excellence; Environmental Sciences Award; Innovative Student Placement Award; and Commercial Deal of the Year.
Tim Barnes, Executive Director at UCL Advances, said: “In supporting the LDA’s new Knowledge Transfer Awards, UCL is proud to make clear our dedication to knowledge transfer. The opportunities for UCL and the LDA to work together in this area are significant for the benefit of both UCL and the businesses of London.”
The awards will be open to all businesses and knowledge base organisations located within London, large or small. There will be a simple entry process which will feature an online facility on the Awards Website. Those selected as finalists, after the closing date of 31 October 2008, will be visited by a judging team. The winners of each category will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, to be hosted by Jason Bradbury, co-host of Channel Five’s Gadget Show, on Friday 5 December 2008 at the Royal Garden Hotel Kensington.
Full details of the categories and entry process can be found at the Awards Website www.londonktawards.co.uk.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.