Funding to allow a UK business or not for profit organisation (the ‘business’) to partner with a ‘knowledge base’ (e.g. university) to address a specific challenge.
Partnerships include placement of a skilled graduate (known as a ‘KTP Associate’) within the business to work on the project, having been recruited by the knowledge base for their knowledge and expertise.
Applications must be for a specific, strategic innovation project that tackles one or more challenges faced by the business partner through the transfer of knowledge, technology and expertise from the knowledge base. It can be any kind of project but 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.
Projects must last between 12 and 36 months.
A typical KTP project costs around £80,000 to £100,000 per year, with a proportion of the eligible costs funded by Innovate UK. The remainder of the project costs are paid by the business partner.
Successful applications are partially funded on the following basis:
- Large companies and eligible public sector organisations may receive a grant contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs, with the business paying the balance.
- Micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) may receive a grant contribution up to 67% of eligible project costs, with the business paying the balance.
- Not for profit organisations, charities or charitable business may receive a grant contribution of up to 75% of eligible project costs, with the charity or charitable business paying the balance.
- As virtual businesses have no geographical location they may only receive a grant contribution of 50% or 67% depending upon the size of the business and must support additional costs as outlined in the KTP project costs guidance.
Applications are led by the knowledge base and are supported by a knowledge transfer adviser appointed by Innovate UK.
Key dates
- Call opens: 1 July 2024
- Deadline: 25 September 2024 (11.00am)
- Applicants notified: 21 November 2024
- Workshop for successful applicants: 8 January 2025
See full opportunity details and guidance on how to apply for a KTP.