Recognise opportunity
Explore the potential value, users and applications within research.
Research knowledge, real-world value
Practical Research Impact and Commercialisation Capacity-Building for Institutions.
ARCA—the AfroTechnical Research Commercialisation Academy—helps universities and research institutions strengthen their capacity to translate research into real-world impact through practical education, professional training and institutional capacity-building.
Pathway-neutral learning for research with purpose.
Education
Institutional capacity
Research impact
The opportunity
Research has value.
How does that value reach the world?
Across universities and research institutions, valuable knowledge is generated through years of investigation, experimentation and scholarly work. Translating that knowledge into practical outcomes takes more than publication.
Researchers and institutions benefit from the confidence and tools to recognise opportunities, engage potential users, understand intellectual property considerations and explore appropriate routes to impact. We make space to learn, apply and plan.
Understand context
Build awareness of intellectual property, policy and institutional considerations.
Connect with others
Consider how stakeholders, collaborators and external partners can contribute.
Choose a pathway
Evaluate practical routes that fit the research and the people it can benefit.
How we support you
Building the capacity to turn research into impact.
Practical learning and tailored institutional support for the people and organisations who make research matter.
01 / Education
Research Commercialisation Education
Understand the principles, processes and opportunities involved in translating research beyond academic publication.
Explore programmes02 / Institutions
Institutional Capacity-Building
Develop practical learning aligned with institutional priorities, research strengths and participant needs.
Explore partnerships03 / Professional learning
Workshops and Masterclasses
Focused sessions on research impact, intellectual property awareness, innovation and external engagement.
View workshops04 / Advisory
Advisory and Strategic Support
Capacity-building and advisory support shaped around institutional needs and knowledge exchange priorities.
Our approachOur proposed flagship programme
Research Commercialisation Certificate Programme
A practical, structured learning programme designed to help researchers understand how research can create value beyond academic publication.
Participants explore opportunity identification, intellectual property considerations, stakeholder engagement and appropriate routes to impact through facilitated workshops and applied activities.
- Proposed six-week programme
- Virtual, in-person or hybrid delivery, subject to arrangements
- For researchers and relevant institutional professionals
The programme is proposed; cohort dates and availability have not been announced. Its certificate is a programme completion certificate, not an accredited academic qualification.
A broader view
Research commercialisation is not one-size-fits-all.
Not every research project should become a business. The right route depends on the research, its potential users, the institutional context and the problem it seeks to address.
Licensing and technology transfer
Share or apply research through suitable licensing arrangements.
Research spinouts and startups
Explore new ventures when a research opportunity and team are suited to one.
Industry and institutional partnerships
Work with organisations to develop, test or apply research knowledge.
Policy and public-sector engagement
Connect findings with policy, public services and decision-making.
Social enterprise and societal innovation
Apply knowledge to social needs and community-defined challenges.
Open research and dissemination
Enable broader use of knowledge through open sharing and communication.
We help participants understand and evaluate different pathways—not prescribe one route for every project.
Explore our approachWho we work with
Strengthening the people and teams behind research.
The Academy works with institutions as well as individuals, creating practical learning for the research ecosystem.
About the Academy01
Universities and research institutions
02
Research offices and knowledge exchange teams
03
Academic staff and postgraduate researchers
04
Innovation and enterprise professionals
05
Public and development organisations
Why the Academy
A practical approach to research impact.
01
Applied learning
Work with practical frameworks and activities, not theory alone.
02
Multiple pathways
Explore routes appropriate to research, context and potential users.
03
Institution-focused
Shape delivery around participant and institutional priorities.
04
African-centred, globally relevant
Bring grounded perspectives to an international research landscape.
For universities and research institutions
Strengthen your institution's research impact capacity.
We work with institutions seeking to develop researchers' understanding of commercialisation, innovation, external engagement and pathways to impact. Programmes can be tailored to institutional priorities and delivery requirements.
Discuss an institutional partnershipQuestions, answered
Start with the essentials.
Have a question about a programme or institutional training? We would be glad to hear from you.
Contact the AcademyWhat is research commercialisation?
It is the process of exploring ways research knowledge, technologies and insights can be applied beyond academic publication. Routes may include partnerships, licensing, policy engagement, social enterprise and open dissemination.
Is commercialisation only about creating startups?
No. A startup is one possible route among many. The appropriate pathway depends on the research, potential users and institutional context.
Can programmes be tailored for institutions?
Institutional programmes can be shaped around research strengths, participant needs, priorities and delivery requirements. Scope is discussed with each institution.
Is the Certificate Programme accredited?
No. Participants who meet completion requirements receive an Academy programme completion certificate. It is not an accredited academic qualification.
Does the Academy provide legal or IP advice?
No. The Academy provides educational awareness, not legal or patent advice. Intellectual property decisions should be discussed with appropriate institutional or professional advisers.
Let's make research more impactful.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how the Academy can support your research impact and commercialisation priorities.