Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): 2022 to 2023, round 1
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £8 million to fund innovation projects with businesses or not-for-profits.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme allows a UK registered business or not-for-profit organisation (which we will refer to collectively as the ‘business partner’ from now on) to partner with a knowledge base partner’ (either a UK higher education (HE) or further education (FE) institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult).
The KTP partnership brings new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business partner to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The knowledge base partner recruits the ‘associate’ to work on the project. The associate has the opportunity to lead a strategic development within the business developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.
Guidance on how to apply for a KTP is provided here. Multiple rounds will be available in 2022-23 – a full list of dates to March 2023 is available here.
Each application must be led by a knowledge base, working with a business partner and supported by a knowledge transfer adviser. If you are a business and do not yet have a relationship with a knowledge base partner, the knowledge transfer adviser can help you to identify one.
Visit the KTP website to find out more about the programme and the current associate roles available for graduates.
Each KTP is a partnership between the following:
- a UK knowledge base, acting as lead organisation and submitting the application
- a UK registered business or not-for-profit organisation (must have 2 or more full-time equivalent employees) – UK subsidiary businesses of overseas parent companies are eligible, provided they are individually registered in the UK
KTP does not support projects where the business partner is in the public sector, but social enterprises and charities are eligible.
Project scope and eligibility
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:
- how it helps the business with a real need
- how it fits the strategic aims of the business partner
- a genuine market opportunity and a viable route to market
- how the knowledge gained will be embedded within the business partner
- what makes your project innovative
For further enquiries, click here to find your local knowledge transfer adviser.