Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) key facts

It's a powerful partnership
Group of 3 people having a business meeting in an office meeting room, blurred people walking around the office
KTP is a world-leading programme that helps businesses and third sector organisations succeed by connecting them to the UK's leading academics. Part-funded by government, it's a partnership between a business seeking expertise, an academic institution (such as the University of Plymouth) and a recently qualified graduate/postgraduate – known as the KTP Associate.
 

Types of KTP

Classic KTP
Focused on delivery innovative projects within organisations, KTPs are often in STEM subjects but open to all areas, with enhanced grants available to those in the third sector. 
Classic KTPs concentrate on enhancing or creating new products and services. Over the last four decades, businesses that have undergone a KTP have experienced a substantial growth, amounting to £1.6 million in sales turnover*. The majority of businesses report improved productivity, profitability and employability. 
Management KTP
People-focused, and designed to trigger culture change, mKTPs enable transformation within business management. By identifying strategic, management-based initiatives, businesses see increased resilience, agility, and management effectiveness.
Management KTPs are being used by a wide range of businesses in all sectors of the economy and are growing in popularity as businesses recover from COVID-19 and navigate Brexit. 
AKT (Accelerated Knowledge Transfer)
Designed for UK businesses, an AKT offers a fast-track to success. In just 2–4 months, businesses can collaborate closely with expert academics, access crucial funding, and ignite game-changing concepts for projects. Find out more about Accelerated Knowledge Transfers. 

It has changed the way that the management views automation and efficiency. In looking at our current processes more closely than before, we are seeing significant ways of reducing costs while improving reliability and profitability.”

Phil Partridge, Oakmount Control Systems Ltd.

Benefits

Academic
  • Opportunity to feed into Impact Case Studies
  • New Research areas and opportunity for publications during and post KTP
  • Case studies/ experience to bring back to teaching and learning
  • Chance to work with other academics, top graduates and industrialists
  • Opportunity for guest lectures
  • Opportunity to develop student projects and/or student placements
  • fEC full cost recovery
  • Support of KTP team at every step of the process, including bid writing
  • High chance of funding success 
Business
  • New income streams giving a considerable ROI
  • Competitive advantage through accelerated innovation and the possibility of creating Intellectual Property
  • Access to academic expertise and knowledge
  • Access to University facilities
  • A high calibre graduate or post graduate working to deliver the KTP
  • A new embedded capability
  • New high skilled jobs created
  • Opportunity to retain a highly skilled graduate post KTP
  • Eligible businesses can apply for R and D tax credits
  • Full support from the KTP team at every step
Graduates
  • Fast track and enhance your career prospects by leading and delivering a strategic project
  • Earn a competitive salary
  • Chance of continued employment upon completion of the KTP project
  • Access top-class training and development in business management, entrepreneurship and leadership skills
  • A dedicated budget and time allowance to available to support personal development activities
  • Potentially register for a higher degree.

What makes a good KTP?

KTP fast facts
  • Duration 12 to 36 months
  • Cost c£30k+ pa for SME (33% contribution to total annual grant of £c90k pa)
  • Cost c£45k+ pa for Large Enterprise (50% contribution to total annual grant of £c90k pa)
  • Cost c£23k pa for Third Sector (25% contribution to total annual grant of £c90k pa)
The three partners for a successful KTP
A KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, an academic team and a graduate:
  • the business has the challenge
  • the academic team has the knowledge and expertise
  • the graduate delivers the project.
Ideal Company/Organisation*
  • At least 2 FTE but ideally 10+
  • Actively generating turnover and profit with 2 or 3 years financial history
  • If pre-revenue, evidence and supporting letter from the funding source is required
  • Must evidence that can afford c£30k+ pa and implementation/exploitation costs
  • On-site academic support visits at least 1 per month – academic support costed in at 10% or ½ day per week
  • If large, must have a UK base and exploitation must remain in the UK
  • Start-ups are not usually suitable KTP candidates
From KTP Programme Round 1 2023, Innovate UK will be supporting Management KTPs for the public sector e.g. NHS, BBC however Central Government is excluded. This will be available for the next 2 years.
*Each potential KTP will be judged on its merits and could be taken forward even if all of the above requirements are not met.

Understanding the KTP process

  • Purple and blue arrow that says 'contact us' in white

    Contact us

    Contact us with a business query.
  • Phone line icon with speech bubble

    Introduction

    Meet the KTP Team to discuss your project idea feasibility.
  • Purple and blue arrow with 'funding' written in white

    Funding

    Work together to develop a funding application.
  • Line graphic of 3 people stood in a group

    Recruit

    Together we’ll recruit a high calibre postgraduate. They will manage the KTP project and will be based at your business.
  • Purple and blue arrow with 'start' in white

    Start

    Start a one to three year project, supported by the KTP Team. You’ll have regular catch-ups with your academic, Innovate UK and senior contact in your business ensuring the project remains on track.
  • Line art of open hands cupping a heart

    Support

    You will receive support throughout your KTP. Your business will then have the option to explore further University opportunities post-project through commercialisation and embedding.

Work with us

Our Innovation Funding Managers help you scope out your KTP project idea, link businesses with academics, prepare and then submit the grant application. Once funded, the University and business jointly recruit the KTP Associate and then your project begins.
Start your collaboration by contacting one of our Innovation Funding Managers. Complete our enquiry form below.
Enquiry form

Follow us on social media

KTP logo Innovate test Innovate UK