KTP in detail

What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
KTP partners
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a world-leading programme that helps businesses succeed by connecting them to the UK's diverse academic knowledge base. Part-funded by government, it's a partnership between a business seeking expertise, an academic institution (such as the University) and a recently qualified graduate/postgraduate – known as the KTP Associate.
KTP Specialist Advisors can 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. 
Most businesses are eligible as KTP partners, but do contact your KTP Specialist Advisors for up to date information on eligibility. To succeed, the project needs to be strategic in its aim, can vary in length between 12 and 36 months and have the potential to transform the business whilst demonstrating impact for the institution's research. The KTP Associate will work full-time at the company location, jointly supervised to work on the key project objectives in transferring knowledge and delivering innovation for the business.

Budget

A KTP costs a Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) on average £27k per year and a Large Enterprise (LE) on average £40k per year. The whole project costs can be included in the University REF return which means that on average a two-year project would count as £160k research income.

Budget detail

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Browse our case studies of previous KTPs or take a look at national examples as to what KTP can do for you. 
"Anna’s application analytical and research skills are second to none and have made a huge difference to our business. Knowing we have the infrastructure of the University behind the scenes to support our investigations again is crucial for our development and also very comforting. Knowing and applying the science behind what we do in dairy manufacturing gives us and our staff a massive advantage in ensuring our products are of the highest quality and standards possible. Along this journey, we have met many people who support our business from the University in many different departments. Their support has been superb and now these people are considered friends rather than just work associates. I would wholeheartedly recommend the KTP project and engagement with the University for any business irrespective of size." 
Paul Winterton, Managing Director, Langage Farm