Advancing Kentucky Together Network A statewide network, powered by UK, to advance our Commonwealth — together.

The Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network is a partnership framework led by the University of Kentucky to accelerate progress in health, education, workforce and community outcomes. It serves as a unifying framework that connects people and organizations working to expand opportunity and make Kentucky healthier, wealthier and wiser. Through shared goals and coordinated action, AKT helps align efforts across sectors to create measurable change and lasting impact.

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees challenged the university to do more than any institution in the country to improve the lives of the people it serves. The AKT Network was created in response to that charge — to bring together public and private partners whose work supports Kentucky’s health, prosperity and future.

AKTN is not a new office or program. It is a partnership model that connects existing initiatives across the University and beyond. The network helps partners share ideas, align goals and develop scalable, community-based solutions that advance Kentucky’s health, education and economy. 

Any organization or unit that shares AKTN’s goals can participate — including colleges and departments within UK, other higher-education institutions, healthcare providers, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations. If you're interested in becoming a partner, submit this form. 

AKT Network partners are tackling challenges and opportunities across Kentucky. Examples include expanding rural healthcare access, growing the teacher and nursing pipelines, supporting small business innovation, advancing agricultural technologies and exploring the responsible use of artificial intelligence through CATS-AI. Each initiative shares one purpose: creating better futures for Kentuckians.

Organizations can submit an interest form to start the conversation. The AKT team reviews each submission and follows up to learn more about your goals. From there, the team identifies how your work aligns with network priorities and where collaboration could make the greatest difference for Kentucky.

The AKT Network is how the University of Kentucky lives its land-grant promise — to advance the Commonwealth through teaching, research, healthcare and service. It transforms that mission into a practical framework for collaboration, enabling the university and its partners to address complex challenges together.

The network connects ideas to action. It supports and scales initiatives that deliver real results — such as improving access to healthcare, expanding education and training pathways and building a stronger workforce across urban and rural Kentucky. Every effort is designed to improve lives and communities while creating a model other states can follow.

Visit akt.uky.edu for news, partner stories and project updates. You can also follow the University of Kentucky’s official channels like UKNow to see how people and partners across the Commonwealth are advancing Kentucky together.