Funding details

Registration opens 25 Jul 2019, 00:00
Registration closes 02 Oct 2019, 00:00

What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses in the UK to innovate and grow. It does this by linking them with an academic or research organisation and a graduate.

A KTP enables a business to bring in new skills and the latest academic thinking to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project through a knowledge-based partnership.

The academic or research organisation partner will help to recruit a suitable graduate, known as an Associate. They will act as the employer of the graduate, who then works at the company for the duration.

The scheme can last between 12 and 36 months, depending on what the project is and the needs of the business.

Who can take part

Each KTP is a 3-way partnership between:

• a UK-based business of any size or a not-for-profit organisation
• an academic or research organisation. This could be a university, college or research and technology organisation in the UK
• a suitably-qualified graduate, with the capability to lead a strategic business project

How to apply

There are 2 main routes to applying for a KTP as a business.

Via a Knowledge Transfer Adviser

If you’re interested in taking part in a KTP but don’t already have a university partner, you should contact your local KTA (Knowledge Transfer Adviser). They will:

check the feasibility of your idea and tell you if it is suitable
find the right academic or researcher to work on your project

Via the academic or research organisation

If you already have a partnership with an academic or research organisation or know who you would like to work with on a KTP, you should go via that organisation’s KTP office.

There are further KTP funding opportunities all year round – click here for a list of dates.