Each Knowledge Transfer partnership (KTP) is a partnership between the following:

• a UK knowledge base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application
• a UK registered business

The business partner must be a UK registered business with two or more full time equivalent employees.

Business partners cannot work alone. They must develop the project with a UK knowledge base who can provide the right skills to meet the knowledge gap within the business. We encourage business partners to approach Innovate UK Business Connect or knowledge bases to discuss the suitability of KTP for their specific circumstances and find an application partner.

Each knowledge base can collaborate with any number of business partners.

Each business partner, including separate businesses within a business group, can only take part in up to four concurrent KTP funded projects.

Applications must be supported by an Innovate UK appointed Knowledge Transfer Adviser (KTA). Applications will be withdrawn from the competition if the appointed KTA has not given their support to a project prior to the submission of the application.

Your application must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner.

It can be any kind of project and must show:

• why the business needs this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
• what new knowledge is required by the business
• what new capabilities will be embedded as a result of the KTP
• how your project aligns with the Industrial Strategy
• what characteristics the business possesses that suggest it has high growth potential

Applicants should develop projects that can be delivered within 24 months. Longer projects up to a maximum of 36 months may be supported where applicants clearly justify the need for an extended duration. KTPs are typically advertised on a full time basis. Associates may apply to work on a flexible basis for the duration of the project via the employers flexible working policy.

The grant contribution to your project may be funded wholly or in part by one or more of the KTP financial supporters. You must choose at least one of the following financial supporters:

• UKRI KTP (Innovate UK)
• Invest Northern Ireland
• Welsh Government

A proportion of the knowledge base partner’s costs (up to 67% for SMEs, up to 50% for large companies) will be funded by Innovate UK or another financial supporter. The remainder of the project costs are paid by the business partner.

For full details on grant contributions, see the KTP project costs guidance.

Additional support from the Welsh Government

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a core component of the Welsh Government’s RD&I offer to businesses. Welsh Government will support the cost of projects with Innovate UK and on occasion may choose to fully fund a project when Innovate UK has insufficient budget.

Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Wales (working with any UK knowledge base) may claim an enhanced grant rate supported by Welsh Government of 75% of the project costs of a KTP. Delivery of these projects must be within Wales. Virtual projects where the business is registered at an address in Wales are also eligible.

Welsh Government will also support projects from the third and public sector where the business and knowledge base are based in Wales. Third sector projects receive a grant rate of 75% and public sector 50% of project costs. This type of project is funded in their entirety by Welsh Government who limit the funding of third and public sector project to 10% of their portfolio. You must check with your knowledge transfer adviser before submitting an application to ensure eligibility and availability of funding.

Additional support from Invest Northern Ireland

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a core component of Invest Northern Ireland’s RD&I offer to businesses. Invest NI will support the cost of projects with Innovate UK and on occasion may choose to fully fund a project when Innovate UK has insufficient budget.

The six areas within the Industrial Strategy prioritised by Innovate UK are:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Clean Energy Industries
• Creative Industries
• Defence
• Digital and Technologies
• Life Sciences

If your project does not align with one of the six priority sectors, it may still be eligible if it is exploiting a novel area of research and the business partner meets the criteria for a high growth potential.

Priority will be given to projects that align with the Industrial strategy.

You can contact your local Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser for support. You can also contact Innovate UK by email or call 0300 321 4357. Our phone lines are open from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Supervisors Workshop

If your application is successful, the business and academic supervisors are expected to attend the Supervisors Workshop.

These half day workshops are run by Innovate UK Business Connect and delivered online. Workshops generally take place within one month of the knowledge base receiving notification that the project will receive funding. Successful applicants will be notified of the dates.