Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

The purpose of KTPs is to unite Graduates, Academic Knowledge Bases (KBs) and businesses to inspire an innovative collaboration. Not only is this a great way to create something inventive for all parties, but also an opportunity to garner a plethora of business and interpersonal skills and enable knowledge transfer.

KTPs have a success rate of 90% when it comes to application submission. This is partly thanks to the help of the Knowledge Transfer Advisor, who will help throughout the application process. Having the support of an Advisor from Innovate UK means you won’t be doing this alone and you will be set up effectively to help you make the most out of the partnership, whether you are business looking for new knowledge and talent, or or an academic looking to collaborate with innovative companies.

KTPs are one of the world’s leading Knowledge Transfer mechanisms. With currently more than 800 active KTPs and with the involvement of more than 12000 companies in the UK during KTPs’ 45-year existence, the success lies in the partnership, and the engagement of all 3 parties.

Check out the Innovate UK webpage and KTP-specific site for more information.

Benefits of a KTP

Academic:

• Leading a rewarding collaboration with companies requiring research-based knowledge to succeed
• Business-specific teaching and research, and application of knowledge and expertise to real business scenarios
• On average 3 new research projects and 2 research papers were created for each KTP project 
• Identifying new research themes and contributing to the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• Publishing high-quality journals and conference papers.

Business:

• Acquire privileged and profitable access to the UK’s first-rate knowledge base and resources
• Embed expertise, give rise to new knowledge, encourage innovation
• Be immersed in an accelerated innovative process and the possibility of creating Intellectual Property
• Increase revenue through contact with new markets and new product development
• Benefit from the strategic input of a highly experienced KTA

Graduate:

• Use your knowledge to transform a key strategic innovation idea into reality
• The chance to manage a challenging, real-world project
• Personalise your role, as a KTP Associate – each position is unique
• Implement strategy within an innovative company
• Receive dedicated mentoring and personal development
• The opportunity to gain a professional qualifications and training

Funding and costs

A grant is established by Innovate UK to help part-fund the KTP – typically covering the costs of  £80,000-£100,000. The costs covered depend on the size of the supporting business.

The grant will cover:

• 75% for not-for-profit (regardless of size)
• 67% for SMEs
• 50% for large businesses

The business will cover the remaining costs – please look into R&D tax relief to support with covering the remaining costs. Funding can be used towards the costs of supplies, the associate’s wage, training and travel reimbursement.

 Eligibility 

An Academic:

• Who is affiliated with a university or research organisation
• Must be the person who applies for the KTP
• Check out Academics - Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org) for benefits of KTPs for Academics

A Graduate:

• Who has achieved a 2:1 honours, or recently completed a Master’s or PhD
• Who has the right to work in the UK
• Who has the capability to lead a strategic business project 
• Check out Graduates - Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org) for more information about what it’s like to be a KTP Associate

A Business:

• Who is either a company or a not-for-profit association
• Of any size and in any field
• Registered in the UK
• That can financially support the KTP
• Check out the KTP business website to see if your company’s values align with the business prerequisites: Business - Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org)